Obs. [UN-2 4 + SPEAR v.1] trans. To unbar; to open.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 25. Quhu lucifer … held hem sperd in helles male til god … unspered al ðe fendes sped.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 259. I here … How a spirit speketh to helle & bit vnspere þe ȝatis.
c. 1400. Laud Troy Bk., 1039. When it was with-inne ther lippes, Faste to-gedur hit hem grippes, That thei myȝt not her mouth vn-spere.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 54. Late at eve thou wolt unspere the gate.
c. 1450. Capgrave, Life St. Aug., 20. Poncian vnsperd þe bok and say wel þat it was a bok longing to cristen feith.
