spīra, ae, f., = σπεῖρα.
I That which is wound , wreathed , coiled , or twisted; a coil , fold , twist , spire (cf. orbis); of a serpent, Verg. G. 2, 154; id. A. 2, 217; Ov. M. 3, 77.—Of the grain of wood, Plin. 16, 39, 76, § 198.—Of the intestines, Lact. Opif. Dei, 11, § 16.—
II Concr.: spira dicitur et basis columnae unius tori aut duorum, et genus operis pistorii, et funis nauticus in orbem convolutus, ab eādem omnes similitudine. Pacuvius: Quid cessatis, socii, ejicere spiras sparteas? Ennius quidem hominum multitudinem ita appellat, cum ait: spiras legionibus nexunt, Fest. p. 300 Müll. (Ann. v. 501 Vahl., where the read. is nexit).—So,
A The base of a column , Vitr. 3, 3; 4, 1; Plin. 36, 23, 56, § 179.—
B A kind of twisted cake , a twist , cracknel , Cato R. R. 77.—
C A coil of rope , Pac. ap. Fest. l. l.—
D A braid of hair , Plin. 9, 35, 58, § 117; Val. Fl. 6, 396.—
E A twisted tie for fastening the hat under the chin, Juv. 8, 208.—
F A confused crowd of men , Enn. ap. Fest. l. l.