Spere intransitive verb [ Anglo-Saxon spyrian to inquire, properly, to follow the track; akin to Dutch speuren , German spüren , Icelandic spyrja . √171. See Spoor.] To search; to pry; to ask; to inquire. [ Prov. Eng. & Scot.] [ Written also speer , speir Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/S/160