sparing Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. verb refrain from harming
   save; spare.
   
2. verb save or relieve from an experience or action
   spare.
   
   • I'll spare you from having to apologize formally
3. verb give up what is not strictly needed
   dispense with; give up; spare; part with.
   
   • he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey
4. verb use frugally or carefully
   spare.
   
5. verb furnish with spars
   spar.
   
6. verb fight with spurs
   spar.
   
   • the gamecocks were sparring
7. verb box lightly
   spar.
   
8. verb fight verbally
   spar.
   
   • They were sparring all night
9. adjective satellite avoiding waste
   stinting; frugal; scotch; economical.
   
   • an economical meal
   • an economical shopper
   • a frugal farmer
   • a frugal lunch
   • a sparing father and a spending son
   • sparing in their use of heat and light
   • stinting in bestowing gifts
   • thrifty because they remember the great Depression
   • `scotch' is used only informally

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