σπεῖρα,ἡ,
A. anything twistedorwound,ποιεῖν τι οἷον σπεῖρανtwist it intoa ball, Hp. Morb. 2.33 .
2. pl.,coilsorspiresof a serpent, S. Fr. 535 (anap.), Ar. Fr. 500 ;πολύπλοκοι ς. E. Med. 481 , cf. Ion 1164 : so in sg., Nic. Th. 156 , A.R. 4.151 , Arat. 47 , 89 , etc.
3. rope, cord, Nic. Fr. 74.21 ,f.l. in
Hp. Steril. 235 ;σπείραισι δικτυοκλώστοιςwith the net's meshyfolds, S. Ant. 346 (lyr.);ship's cable, Plu. 2.507b ;padded circleused by women carrying weights on their head, Aët. 12.55 ; so by Atlas, Apollod. 2.5.11 ; as a lamp-stand, ἀρτεμισίας ς. ἐπὶ τὸν λύχνον
PMag.Lond. 121.601
(cf. σπειρίον
111
);round cushion,
IG 5(1).1390.24 (Andania,i B.C.).
4. a mode of dressing the hair, Poll. 2.31 , 4.149 .
5. ς. βόειαι thongsorstrapsof ox-hide to guard and arm a boxer's fist, Theoc. 22.80 .
6. knotorcurl in wood, Thphr. HP 5.2.3 , Plin. HN 16.198 .