Definition of Spare

1. Adjective. Thin and fit. "A body kept trim by exercise"

Exact synonyms: Trim
Similar to: Lean, Thin
Derivative terms: Spareness, Trimness

2. Verb. Refrain from harming. "They spare him from writing the letter"
Exact synonyms: Save
Specialized synonyms: Favor, Favour
Generic synonyms: Forbear, Refrain
Derivative terms: Sparer

3. Noun. An extra component of a machine or other apparatus.
Exact synonyms: Spare Part
Generic synonyms: Component, Constituent, Element

4. Adjective. More than is needed, desired, or required. ; "Surplus cheese distributed to the needy"

5. Verb. Save or relieve from an experience or action. "I'll spare you from having to apologize formally"
Generic synonyms: Exempt, Free, Relieve

6. Noun. An extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle.
Exact synonyms: Fifth Wheel
Generic synonyms: Car Wheel

7. Adjective. Not taken up by scheduled activities. "Spare time on my hands"
Exact synonyms: Free
Similar to: Unoccupied

8. Verb. Give up what is not strictly needed. "He asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey"
Exact synonyms: Dispense With, Give Up, Part With
Generic synonyms: Give

9. Noun. A score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls.
Generic synonyms: Score

10. Adjective. Kept in reserve especially for emergency use. "Spare parts"
Similar to: Unnecessary, Unneeded

11. Verb. Use frugally or carefully.
Generic synonyms: Expend, Use

12. Adjective. Lacking in amplitude or quantity. "A spare diet"
Exact synonyms: Bare, Scanty
Similar to: Meager, Meagerly, Meagre, Scrimpy, Stingy
Derivative terms: Scantiness, Spareness

13. Adjective. Lacking embellishment or ornamentation. "Functional architecture featuring stark unornamented concrete"
Exact synonyms: Bare, Plain, Unembellished, Unornamented
Similar to: Unadorned, Undecorated
Derivative terms: Plainness

Definition of Spare

1. v. t. To use frugally or stintingly, as that which is scarce or valuable; to retain or keep unused; to save.

2. v. i. To be frugal; not to be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious.

3. a. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as, a spare diet.

4. n. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint.

Definition of Spare

1. Adjective. scanty; not abundant or plentiful. ¹

2. Adjective. sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary. ¹

3. Adjective. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous. ¹

4. Adjective. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as, a spare anchor; a spare bed or room. ¹

5. Adjective. lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt. ¹

6. Adjective. slow ¹

7. Noun. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. ¹

8. Noun. Parsimony; frugal use. ¹

9. Noun. An opening in a petticoat or gown; a placket. ¹

10. Noun. That which has not been used or expended. ¹

11. Noun. A spare part, especially a spare tire. ¹

12. Noun. (bowling) The right of bowling again at a full set of pins, after having knocked all the pins down in less than three bowls. If all the pins are knocked down in one bowl it is a double spare; in two bowls, a single spare. ¹

13. Noun. (bowling) The act of knocking down all remaining pins in second ball of a frame; this entitles the pins knocked down on the next ball to be added to the score for that frame. ¹

14. Verb. (sense to show mercy) To desist; to stop; to refrain. ¹

15. Verb. (sense to show mercy) To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or forbearance. ¹

16. Verb. (sense to show mercy) To preserve from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm; to show mercy. ¹

17. Verb. (sense to keep) To be frugal; not to be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious. ¹

18. Verb. (sense to keep) To keep to one's self; to forbear to impart or give. ¹

19. Verb. (sense to keep) To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty. ¹

20. Verb. (sense to give up) To deprive one's self of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Spare

1. meager [adj SPARER, SPAREST] : SPARELY [adv] / to refrain from punishing, harming, or destroying [v SPARED, SPARING, SPARES] - See also: meager

Medical Definition of Spare

1. 1. To use frugally or stintingly, as that which is scarce or valuable; to retain or keep unused; to save. "No cost would he spare." "[Thou] thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare." (Milton) "He that hath knowledge, spareth his words." (Prov. Xvii. 27) 2. To keep to one's self; to forbear to impart or give. "Be pleased your plitics to spare." (Dryden) "Spare my sight the pain Of seeing what a world of tears it costs you." (Dryden) 3. To preserve from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm; to show mercy to. "Spare us, good Lord." (Book of Common Prayer) "Dim sadness did not spare That time celestial visages." (Milton) "Man alone can whom he conquers spare." (Waller) 4. To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty. "All the time he could spare from the necessary cares of his weighty charge, he estowed on . . . Serving of God." (Knolles) 5. To deprive one's self of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with. "Where angry Jove did never spare One breath of kind and temperate air." (Roscommon) "I could have better spared a better man." (Shak) To spare one's self. To act with reserve. "Her thought that a lady should her spare." (Chaucer) To save one's self labour, punishment, or blame. Origin: AS. Sparian, fr. Spaer spare, sparing, saving; akin to D. & G. Sparen, OHG. Sparn, Icel. & Sw. Spara, Dan. Spare See Spare. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spare

spansules
spanwise
spanworm
spanworms
spar
spar buoy
sparable
sparables
sparada
sparadrap
sparagmos
sparapet
sparaxis
sparble
spard
spare (current term)
spare-time activity
spare ball
spare change
spare part
spare parts
spare rib
spare ribs
spare room
spare someone's blushes
spare the rod and spoil the child
spare time
spare tire
spare tire well

Literary usage of Spare

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The pilgrim's progress from this world to that which is to come by John Bunyan (1879)
"17. with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare. ..."

2. A Manual of Marine Engineering: : Comprising the Designing, Construction and by Albert Edward Seaton (1890)
"spare Gear and Stores to be earned.—Foreign-going steamers coming in for survey must be provided with spare gear. In the case of steamers coming in for ..."

3. The Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen, Reginald Brimley Johnson (1892)
"I cannot spare her, and I am sure she does not want to go. Fanny, you do not want to go, do you ? " " If you put such a question to her," cried Edmund, ..."

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