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spar
1[ spahr ]
/ spɑr /
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noun
Nautical. a stout pole such as those used for masts, etc.; a mast, yard, boom, gaff, or the like.
Aeronautics. a principal lateral member of the framework of a wing of an airplane.
verb (used with object), sparred, spar·ring.
to provide or make with spars.
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
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Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of spar
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spar(r)e, sperre, sper “a board, rafter, beam”; cognate with German Sparren, Dutch, Frisian spar, Old Norse sparri
OTHER WORDS FROM spar
sparlike, adjectiveWords nearby spar
Other definitions for spar (2 of 5)
spar2
[ spahr ]
/ spɑr /
verb (used without object), sparred, spar·ring.
(of boxers) to make the motions of attack and defense with the arms and fists, especially as a part of training.
to box, especially with light blows.
to strike or attack with the feet or spurs, as gamecocks do.
to bandy words; dispute.
noun
Origin of spar
2First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English spar(r)en “to go quickly, rush, dart, thrust”; further origin unknown
Other definitions for spar (3 of 5)
spar3
[ spahr ]
/ spɑr /
noun
any of various more or less lustrous crystalline minerals, as fluorspar or feldspar.
Origin of spar
3First recorded in 1575–85; from Middle Low German spar, sper; akin to Old English spær(stān) “gypsum, chalk”
OTHER WORDS FROM spar
sparlike, adjectiveOther definitions for spar (4 of 5)
SPAR
or Spar
[ spahr ]
/ spɑr /
noun
(during World War II) a woman enlisted in the women's reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard (disbanded in 1946).
Origin of SPAR
1942; <Latin S(emper) par(ātus) “Always ready” the Coast Guard motto
Other definitions for spar (5 of 5)
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use spar in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for spar (1 of 3)
spar1
/ (spɑː) /
noun
- any piece of nautical gear resembling a pole and used as a mast, boom, gaff, etc
- (as modifier)a spar buoy
a principal supporting structural member of an aerofoil that runs from tip to tip or root to tip
Word Origin for spar
C13: from Old Norse sperra beam; related to Old High German sparro, Old French esparre
British Dictionary definitions for spar (2 of 3)
spar2
/ (spɑː) /
verb spars, sparring or sparred (intr)
boxing martial arts to fight using light blows, as in training
to dispute or argue
(of gamecocks) to fight with the feet or spurs
noun
an unaggressive fight
an argument or wrangle
informal a close friend
Word Origin for spar
Old English, perhaps from spur
British Dictionary definitions for spar (3 of 3)
spar3
/ (spɑː) /
noun
any of various minerals, such as feldspar or calcite, that are light-coloured, microcrystalline, transparent to translucent, and easily cleavableRelated adjective: spathic
Word Origin for spar
C16: from Middle Low German spar; related to Old English spærstān; see feldspar
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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