spar Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable
noun a stout rounded pole of wood or metal used to support rigging
noun making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer
sparring.
verb furnish with spars
verb fight with spurs
- the gamecocks were sparring
verb box lightly
verb fight verbally
- They were sparring all night

AS. spær in spærstan chalkstone; akin to MHG. spar, G. sparkalk plaster.

(Min.) An old name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as, calc spar, or calcite, fluor spar, etc. It was especially used in the case of the gangue minerals of a metalliferous vein.

OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG. sparro, Dan.& Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of uncertain origin. 171. Cf. Spar, v. t.

(Naut.) A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.
(Arch.) Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; -- still applied locally to rafters.
The bar of a gate or door. Obs. Chaucer.

OE. sparren, AS. sparrian; akin to G. sperren, Icel. sperra; from the noun. See Spara beam, bar.

To bolt; to bar. Obs. Chaucer.
To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel. ✍ A vessel equipped with spars that are too large or too small is said to be oversparred or undersparred.

Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer to kick, F. éparer, or Icel. sperra to stretch out the legs, to struggle.

imperfect & past participle Sparred ; present participle & verbal noun Sparring

To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.
To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for exercise or amusement; to box.
Made believe to spar at Paul with great science. Dickens.
To contest in words; to wrangle. Colloq. sparring partner, (Boxing) one who spars with a boxer as an opponent for training purposes.