Spar, spär, n. a rafter: a general term for masts, yards, booms, and gaffs, &c.—n. Spar′-deck, the upper deck of a vessel. [The A.S. spearra is assumed from the verb sparrian, to fasten with a bar; cf. Ice. sparri, Dut. spar.]
Spar, spär, n. a term applied by miners to any bright crystalline mineral, and adopted by mineralogists in the names of a number of minerals—calcareous spar, fluor spar, Iceland spar, &c.—adj. Spar′ry, resembling spar, spathic. [A.S. spær(-stán), gypsum; cf. Ger. spar(-kalk).]
Spar, spär, v.i. to box with the hands: to fight with showy action: to dispute:—pr.p. spar′ring; pa.t. and pa.p. sparred.—n. a preliminary sparring, boxing-match, or cock-fight.—ns. Spar′rer; Spar′ring. [O. Fr. esparer (Fr. éparer), to kick out, most prob. Teut.; Low Ger. sparre, a struggling.]
Sparable, spar′a-bl, n. a small nail used by shoemakers.—Also Sper′rable. [Sparrow-bill.]
Sparadrap, spar′a-drap, n. a cerecloth, a plaster. [Fr.]
Spare, spār, v.t. to use frugally: to do without: to save from any use: to withhold from: to forbear from harming, to treat tenderly: to part with willingly.—v.i. to be frugal: to forbear: to be tender: to be forgiving.—adj. sparing: frugal: scanty: lean: superfluous.—n. that which has been saved or stored away: in American bowling, a point made by overturning all the pins with the first two balls.—adv. Spare′ly, in a spare manner: sparingly.—ns. Spare′ness; Spār′er, one who spares or avoids expense; Spare′rib, a piece of pork consisting of ribs with the meat adhering to them.—adj. Spā′ring, scarce: scanty: saving: merciful, forgiving.—adv. Spār′ingly, frugally: not abundantly: with abstinence: seldom: cautiously.—n. Spār′ingness, the quality of being sparing: want of liberality: caution. [A.S. sparian, to spare—spær, spare; Ger. spärlich, frugal.]
Sparganium, spär-gā′ni-um, n. a genus of plants of the order Typhaceæ:, the bur-reeds. [Gr.]
Sparge, spärj, v.t. to sprinkle—(Scot.) Spairge.—n. Spar′ger, a sprinkler. [L. spargĕre, to sprinkle.]
Spargosis, spär-gō′sis, n. great distention of the breasts with milk.—Also Sparganō′sis. [Gr. spargōsis—spargan, to swell.]
Spar-hawk, spär′-hawk, n.=Sparrow-hawk.