Lewis & Short

† spīra, ae, f., = σπεῖρα.

  1. 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.
  2. 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,
    1. A. The base of a column, Vitr. 3, 3; 4, 1; Plin. 36, 23, 56, § 179.
    2. B. A kind of twisted cake, a twist, cracknel, Cato, R. R. 77.
    3. C. A coil of rope, Pac. ap. Fest. l. l.
    4. D. A braid of hair, Plin. 9, 35, 58, § 117; Val. Fl. 6, 396.
    5. E. A twisted tie for fastening the hat under the chin, Juv. 8, 208.
  3. F. A confused crowd of men, Enn. ap. Fest. l. l.