spare

spare [sper]

vt.

spared, sparing [ME sparien < OE sparian, akin to spær, thrifty, Ger sparen, to save: see SPACE]

1. to treat with mercy or leniency; refrain from killing, injuring, troubling, or distressing; save

2. to save or free a person from (something) [to spare someone trouble]

3. to refrain from, omit, avoid using, or use frugally [to spare no effort]

4. to give up the use or possession of; part with or give up conveniently [able to spare a cup of sugar]

vi.

1. to practice close economy; be frugal or sparing

2. to be merciful or restrained, as in punishing

adj.

sparer, sparest

1. not in regular use or immediately needed; extra [a spare room, a spare tire]

2. not taken up by regular work or duties; free [spare time]

3. frugal; meager; scanty [to live on spare rations]

4. not fleshy; lean; thin

5. economical in style; using simple language and a minimum of words; restrained

n.

1. a spare, or extra, part, thing, etc.

☆ 2. Bowling

a) the act of knocking down all the pins with two consecutive rolls of the ball

b) a score so made

SYN.- MEAGER

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something to spare

a surplus of something

sparely

adv.

spareness

n.

sparer

n.