sparen.1
/spɛː/, U.S. /spɛ(ə)r/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > pitilessness > [adverb] > mercilessly
unsparelya1225
without sparea1300
without(en) grith13..
mercilessc1425
unmercifully1536
mercilesslya1576
unsparinglya1631
inclemently1789
the mind > emotion > compassion > pitilessness > be or become pitiless [verb (transitive)] > treat without mercy
to cast one's mitten1589
to make (no, etc.) spare1591
(a)
(b)1591 in F. Bacon Genesis New Eng. Ch. (1874) 127 They have made no spare or conscience to accuse..and punish us.1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. 80 Our souldiors..rifled rich villages full of corne and cattell, making spare of none.1620 tr. G. Boccaccio Decameron 4 Little lesse spare was made in the villages round about.1633 Bp. J. Hall Plaine Explic. Hard Texts i. 421 Cut them off..and make no spare of any of them.a1300 Cursor Mundi 2909 Bot þan com dome [= doom] witouten spare, To þaa þat lang was spared are.
c1380 Antecrist 136 in Todd Three Treat. Wyclif (1851) If þai wil noght turn til his lare, He sal þam sla wituten spare.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 3974 Iacob dred esau sare For he was fel wiþouten spare.
1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus Rom. Hist. 139 To wipe away all shamefull dishonour, as whetting their anger against such..perfidious enemies, without spare.
2. † c. at spare, with poor or little food or entertainment; poorly, frugally. Obsolete. rare.
a. The exercise of economy, frugality, or moderation. Chiefly in the phrase to make (no, etc.) spare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [noun]
sparing1377
sparingc1386
spelingc1420
parsimony?a1475
parcity1509
frugality1531
spare1577
spare1577
sparingness1579
sparefulnessa1586
savingness1668
frugalness1727
spareness1826
chariness1849
1577 J. Grange Garden in Golden Aphroditis sig. Pj To spende and make no spare, he must himselfe incline.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Cc4 Whiles fruitfull Ceres, and Lyæus fatt Pourd out their plenty, without spight or spare.
1650 J. Trapp Clavis to Bible (Gen. xlvii. 14) 361 Bidden to eate..what he pleased, and make no spare.
1850 F. S. Merryweather Glimmerings in Dark 36 The canons of the Church..injoined them to be bountiful in their charity and to use no spare in their hospitality.
1891 Spectator 19 Sept. 377/2 We may be able to make shift with 19 million quarters of foreign and Colonial Wheat. It is certainly desirable to make spare, as we may do if we have an abundant potato-crop.
b. Const. of. (Common c1600–40.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [noun]
sparing1377
sparingc1386
spelingc1420
parsimony?a1475
parcity1509
frugality1531
spare1577
spare1577
sparingness1579
sparefulnessa1586
savingness1668
frugalness1727
spareness1826
chariness1849
1577 J. Knewstub Confut. Heresies R j He hath plentifully powred out, and made no spare of it, thorow out the whole yeare.
1579 T. Twyne tr. Petrarch Phisicke against Fortune ii. xliii. 218 b There must be no spare of the rod.
1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis (1650) 1 By which time our Victuals failed us, though we had made good spare of them.
1648 J. Goodwin Right & Might 8 They made no spare of their owne deare lives.
1655 tr. C. Sorel Comical Hist. Francion ii. 32 At our meal there was no spare of Liquor.
1832 S. Austin tr. H. L. H. von Pückler-Muskau Tour German Prince IV. 77 There are a thousand men and two hundred horses in action, and no spare of gunpowder.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > [adverb] > with poor or little food
at spare1585
society > leisure > social event > hospitality > [adverb] > poorly or frugally
at spare1585
1585 Earl of Leicester Corr. (Camden) 462 Most of the noblemen and gentlemen lodged that night at spare in Harwiche.
3.
a. In various elliptical uses of the adjective: A spare or reserve sum of money; a spare room; a spare part, tool, tyre, etc., carried esp. by motorists to replace a breakage or supply a sudden emergency; a spare man in a team of players. Also spec. in plural, spare parts.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > storage > [noun] > that which is stored or a store > kept in reserve > that which is
spare1642
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. xvi. 321 Reserving a spare for all events and accidentall occasions.
1868 C. Dickens Let. 11 Feb. (2002) XII. 49 To provide and lay down new Brussels carpets in the front spare and the two top spares.
1906 Daily Chron. 24 Apr. 3/3 He recommends..a complete spare magneto. I wonder if he has ever really carried such a ‘spare’.
1907 C. W. Brown Petrol Engine i. 11 The manufacture is simplified and the number of ‘spares’ which the owner of a car is called upon to carry considerably reduced.
1908 Motor Boat 5 Mar. 133/1 The best method of dealing with spares is to have a chest made to carry all the spares you require.
1914 Vanity Fair Jan. 95/1 Some ingenious modifications have been devised for taking care of the ‘spare’.
1930 A. P. Herbert Water Gipsies xxiii. 334 I'll put you to bed in the spare, and let nobody come near you.
1930 Daily Express 6 Sept. 9/5 Yesterday Barney Balding, the British ‘spare’, wrenched his arm while playing with a scratch team at Meadowbrook.
1957 Pract. Wireless 33 701/2 A suitable piece of aluminium can probably be found in almost any spares box.
1976 M. Maguire Scratchproof v. 66 Did it usually take him an hour to put on the spare? Would he mind if I looked at the punctured tyre?
1979 B. Parvin Deadly Dyke v. 23 A small room with a single bed..had never been used... It would have been thought of as the spare.
b. slang. An unattached woman, esp. one available for casual sex. Frequently in a bit of spare.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > unmarried person(s) > unmarried woman > [noun] > unattached woman
spare1969
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > sexual indulgence > unchaste behaviour of woman > unchaste or loose woman > woman who makes herself available
pushover1916
pick-me-up1918
round-heeler1927
lay1932
make1933
round heel1933
round heels1944
hump1969
pull1969
spare1969
1969 J. Boland Shakespeare Curse xxi. 169 Kelley was a man whose wife was in an advanced state of pregnancy. You think he'd turn down a bit of spare if it was offered to him?
1974 P. Cave Dirtiest Picture Postcard x. 61 The men would not have to bother with the married girls anyway. There's plenty of spare about.
1978 R. Busby Garvey's Code iv. 44 I..got the impression Maurice was..on the look-out for a bit of spare... Some of the girls we get in here..don't leave much to the imagination.
4. Originally U.S. In ten-pins and skittles: The knocking down of all the pins with two bowls (thus leaving one ‘to spare’), or with the first bowl (more fully double spare); the score for doing this.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > ninepins or ten-pins > [noun] > types of shot
spare1843
floorer1881
field goal1961
1843 Knickerbocker 22 327 His bowling at ninepins was the very perfection of carelessness. He was never guilty of a ‘spare’.
1879 Daily News 2 Sept. 3/1 Younger people..sought out the American ten-pin alleys,..and, in striving for ‘spares’ and ‘double-spares’, esteemed themselves far in advance of their wise elders.
1884 Harper's Mag. Jan. 299/2 Strikes and spares were less common.
1976 Bridgwater Mercury 21 Dec. Keith Pollard, whose top-of-the-board 84 included four spares, led Alleycats to a runaway home win..in a first division Puriton and District Skittles League Game.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† sparen.2
Obsolete.
An opening or slit in a gown, robe, etc., in later use in a woman's gown (see quot. 1597). Jamieson (1808) has also ‘the slit or opening, formerly used in the fore-part of breeches’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > opening or slit
slita1250
sparea1400
ventc1430
keyhole1943
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5825 He put it [sc. his hand] eft in his spaier, And vte he drogh it, hale and fere.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 2060 A-bowne the spayre a spanne, emange the schortte rybbys.
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. ix. 78 And than Resoun putte hire hond in to hire bosom bi a spayere.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 115 His clothyng was lynen, & full of spayerys, & in euery spayere hyng a crewett.
a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. B.iv My byrde..That was wont to..go in at my spayre And crepe in at my gore Of my gowne before.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 273/2 Sparre of a gowne, fente de la robe.
1597 J. Skene De Verborum Significatione at Bastardus That part of weemens claiths, sik as of their gown, or petticot, quhilk vnder the belt, and before, is open, commonlie is called, the spare.
?a1700 Jew's Daughter in W. Motherwell Minstrelsy (1827) 52 She took out a little pen~knife, Hung low down by her spare. [Also in other ballads.]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sparen.3
= sparus n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > family Sparidae (sea-breams) > [noun] > member of genus Sparus
yellowhead1655
sparus1668
spare1803
yellowfin1845
spar1881
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. ii. 407 Rose-red Spare, with silvery abdomen.
1803 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. IV. ii. 419 Silvery Spare [etc.].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
sparen.4
Coal Mining.
(See quot. 1849.)
ΚΠ
1849 G. C. Greenwell Gloss. Terms Coal Trade Northumberland & Durham 49 Spare, a piece of wood, 6 or 8 inches long, 6 inches broad, cut from 1 inch Scotch deal, with one of the flat sides tapered off to the end;..the baff-end is put in first,..and the spare driven between the baff-end and the crib, in the manner of a wedge.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
spareadj.adv.
/spɛː/, U.S. /spɛ(ə)r/ I. Not in use, vacant; dispensable, and related uses.
1. Not in actual or regular use at the time spoken of, but carried, held, or kept in reserve for future use or to supply an emergency; esp. Nautical (see quot. 1769 at sense 1a); additional, extra.† c. Of land, ground, etc.: Uncultivated, unoccupied, vacant. Obsolete (except in sense 1a or 2).† d. Of a leaf: Blank. Obsolete. rare.
a. In attributive use. Also spare room, a room not regularly used, esp. a bedroom reserved for visitors. spare tyre, (a) an extra tyre carried in a motor vehicle for emergencies; similarly, spare wheel; (b) transferred a roll of fat around the stomach (colloquial).The various types of context are illustrated by the different groups of quotations.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > storage > [adjective] > stored > saved or reserved > held in reserve
sparec1400
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > room by type of occupant > [noun] > guest room
guest-chamber1526
guest-room1638
spare room1814
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > [noun] > parts of vehicle moving on wheels > wheel > spare wheel or tyre
stepney wheel1907
spare tyre1917
spare wheel1920
the world > life > the body > bodily substance > fat > [noun] > round waist
spread1911
spare tyre1961
tyre1968
love handle1970
muffin top2003
(a)
(b)1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xxix The master of hys horse folowed him with a spare horse.1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 420 They bring with them three moneths victuall,..and a spare Horse for food, besides a better for seruice.1708 J. C. Compl. Collier 12 in T. Nourse Mistery of Husbandry Discover'd (ed. 3) The Charge of maintaining a spare Shift of Horses.1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xviii. 90 The custom of their warriors, to lead in their hand one or two spare horses, enabled them to advance and to retreat with a rapid diligence.1850 R. Gordon-Cumming Five Years Hunter's Life S. Afr. I. v. 105 A horseman..accompanied by an after-rider leading a spare horse.1856 T. De Quincey Confessions Eng. Opium-eater (rev. ed.) in Select. Grave & Gay V. 76 Here's a spare dromedary.(c)a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1690) 107 There are spare Hands among the King's Subjects, to earn two Millions more than they do.1897 Daily News 27 May 8/5 Driver R. Wilcockson, a spare driver,..gave evidence in regard to the irregular hours of the ‘spare’ men.(d)1692 J. P. New Guide Constables 13 He shall keep one or more spare Beds for lodging of Strangers.1811 W. Scott Let. 4 Aug. (1932) II. 527 My present intention is to have only two spare-bedrooms.1814 J. Austen Mansfield Park I. iii. 54 The absolute necessity of a spare-room for a friend was now never forgotten. View more context for this quotation1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. ii. 38 A spare apartment, in which Doctor Grey occasionally accommodated..patients.1837 Southern Literary Messenger 3 333 One of the third-story rooms we must keep for a spare room.1855 Knickerbocker 46 380 They have stolen away into the spare-room, otherwise, parlor.1880 Harper's Mag. Dec. 90 You've got to feed 'em, and like enough keep a big fire up in the spare room.1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §806. 371 A spare bed which may be put up anywhere in a few minutes.1904 ‘A. Dale’ Wanted: Cook 332 The wine-cellar was under the bed in the spare-room.1928 J. Galsworthy Swan Song iii. ix. 280 He spied a spare-room window open at the top.1953 E. Simon Past Masters iii. 169 The spare room, newly done up, was frequently inhabited by..distinguished visitors.1977 J. Porter Who the Heck is Sylvia? ix. 79 Her habit of knocking on the spare-room door before entering.c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 104 Cables þay fasten,..weȝen her ankres, Sprude spak to þe sprete þe spare bawe-lyne.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 792 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 325 The keruer anon..Into þe couertoure wyn he powres owt, Or in-to a spare pece, with-outen doute.
1497 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 110 Spare extrees for faucons,..v.
1573 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories Archdeaconry Richmond (1853) 242 v. ireon teames,..ij spare crooks.
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. D If you haue any spare paire of siluer spurs.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) i. i. 79 A small spare Mast, Such as sea-faring men prouide for stormes. View more context for this quotation
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 43 A spare Set thereof [i.e. rudder-irons] sent to Sea with every Lead-sheathed Ship.
1709 London Gaz. No. 4521/2 One of the Flukes of the Spare-Anchor [was]..shot off.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Spare, an epithet applied to any part of a ship's..furniture, that lies in reserve, to supply the place of such as may be lost, or rendered incapable of service. Hence we say, spare top-masts, spare sails.
1811 Gen. Regulations & Orders Army 276 All Spare Ammunition is given in to the nearest Ordnance Depôt.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xvi. 173 We carried spare tins, in case the others should burn out.
1893 R. Kipling Many Inventions 2 We've just sent our regular engine to London, and this spare one's not..so accurate.
1917 R. Kipling Diversity of Creatures 162 The policeman laid his hand on the rim of the right driving-door (Woodhouse carries his spare tyres aft).
1920 ‘O. Douglas’ Penny Plain xxiii. 267 It was a tyre gone... Stark put on the spare wheel and they started again.
1961 Harper's Bazaar Dec. 43/1 The deep diaphragm section slims you... That ‘spare-tyre’ has vanished!
1971 D. Devine Dead Trouble v. 48 My spare tyre keeps me warm. You're too skinny.
1972 Country Life 7 Dec. 1592/3 The luggage boot is..fairly well filled by the spare wheel.
1977 Lancs. Life Nov. 153/1 There is no need for a spare tyre to clutter up the Mini's limited boot space.
b. In predicative use. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1497 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 87 ij pair wheles & a pair of hynder wheles spare.
c1600 J. Dymmok Treat. Ireland (1842) 7 His horse of service is alwaies led spare.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 460 They only riding in one Coach, two other went spare.
a1642 W. Monson Naval Tracts (1704) iii. 324/1 Anchors lying spare at the River side.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 7 Dec. 5/2 Their ponies were running about spare all over the place.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > wild or uncultivated land > [adjective]
westeeOE
wildc893
wastyc1230
wastec1290
untilled1297
void1398
wilsomea1400
desolate1413
wastablea1450
unlaboured1474
untilthed1495
spare1508
unmanured1541
unculted1548
uncultured1555
Hyrcan1567
untoiled1578
manureless1595
griggy1597
Wealdish1598
Hyrcanian1600
unwrought1600
wealy1601
uncultived1605
incult1624
unmanaged1634
incultivateda1657
uncultivate1659
uncultivated1684
unreclaimed1753
wildered1810
irreclaimed1814
natural1827
feral1882
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [adjective] > cleared > not cleared or overgrown
unclean?1440
weedy?1440
spare1508
unweeded1604
uncleared1623
twitchy1652
uncured1719
turfy1733
mushroomed1886
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aii*v Sped hym on spedely on the spare mure.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 24 The ground that is yeerely sowen, & that hath lyne spare, is to be plowed thryse.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 221 The number of Gardens, Cemeteries [etc.],..take up much more spare place than London doth.
1669 J. Worlidge Systema Agriculturæ 93 You may raise these Pollards in Hedge~rows, and spare places.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > book > leaves or pages of book > [adjective] > of leaf: blank or fly-leaf
spare1705
1705 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 13 July (O.H.S.) I. 5 A spare leafe, before a 4to Book of tracts.
e. colloquial. Of persons: off-duty, idle (cf. (c) atsense 1a). Also, useless, superfluous.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [adjective] > not working or unemployed
servicelessc1450
unlabouredc1450
masterless1471
unwrought1550
unplaced1558
labourless1576
flag-fallen1609
unlabouring1619
disemployed1651
hireless1651
unengaged1654
unemployed1667
unworking1696
untoiling1748
workless1758
occupationless1822
placeless1828
out of work1833
non-working1841
unhired1852
jobless1862
out of (or in) collar1862
non-employed1876
spare1919
on the beach1923
in dry dock1927
off-the-job1950
on (also upon) the street(s)1980
unwaged1981
society > leisure > [adjective] > at or having leisure > having time off
watch-free1581
off1826
sabbatical1836
off duty1852
spare1919
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adjective] > excessive or superfluous > superfluous or spare > specifically of persons
spare1970
1919 Athenæum 1 Aug. 695/2 ‘To be spare’ is to be temporarily off duty.
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 266 Spare, to look, to be idle: not engaged on any particular job.
1936 ‘J. Curtis’ Gilt Kid xv. 154 We can't stand around here spare... Come on.
1970 ‘D. Halliday’ Dolly & Cookie Bird viii. 117 Janey stayed there with her manicured hand on his brow..and I felt a bit spare.
f. to go spare: (a) to be unemployed; (b) to become infuriated or distraught. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > be in state of nervous excitement [verb (intransitive)]
to take ona1450
seethe1609
trepidate1623
to take on oneself1632
flutter1668
pother1715
to be upon the nettle (also in a nettle)1723
to be nerve all over1778
to be all nerve1819
to be (all) on wires1824
to break up1825
to carry on1828
to be on (occasionally upon or on the) edge1872
faff1874
to have kittens1900
flap1910
to be in, get in(to), a flap1939
to go sparec1942
to keep (also blow, lose) one's cool1964
faffle1965
to get one's knickers in a twist1971
to have a canary1971
to wet one's pants1979
tweak1981
the mind > emotion > anger > [verb (intransitive)] > become angry
wrethec900
wrothc975
abelghec1300
to move one's blood (also mood)c1330
to peck moodc1330
gremec1460
to take firea1513
fumec1522
sourdc1540
spitec1560
to set up the heckle1601
fire1604
exasperate1659
to fire up1779
to flash up1822
to get one's dander up1831
to fly (occasionally jump, etc.) off (at) the handle1832
to have (also get) one's monkey up1833
to cut up rough, rusty, savage1837
rile1837
to go off the handle1839
to flare up1840
to set one's back up1845
to run hot1855
to wax up1859
to get one's rag out1862
blow1871
to get (also have) the pricker1871
to turn up rough1872
to get the needle1874
to blaze up1878
to get wet1898
spunk1898
to see red1901
to go crook1911
to get ignorant1913
to hit the ceiling1914
to hit the roof1921
to blow one's top1928
to lose one's rag1928
to lose one's haira1930
to go up in smoke1933
hackle1935
to have, get a cob on1937
to pop (also blow) one's cork1938
to go hostile1941
to go sparec1942
to do one's bun1944
to lose one's wool1944
to blow one's stack1947
to go (also do) one's (also a) dingerc1950
rear1953
to get on ignorant1956
to go through the roof1958
to keep (also blow, lose) one's cool1964
to lose ita1969
to blow a gasket1975
to throw a wobbler1985
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (intransitive)] > be unemployed
to go sparec1942
c1942 R. Dimbleby Let. in J. Dimbleby Richard Dimbleby (1975) vii. 163 I'd be grateful if your team would remember an at least practised broadcaster who appears to be ‘going spare’!
1958 F. Norman Bang to Rights 169 When he saw what I had done he went spare.
1969 J. N. Smith Is he Dead, Miss ffinch? xv. 95 The train had just gone. His lordship nearly went spare.
1975 T. Heald Deadline iv. 68 What's the time? Monica will be going spare.
2. in extended use.1633 G. Herbert Sunday in Temple iv The other dayes fill up the spare And hollow room with vanities.
a. That can be spared, dispensed with, or given away, as being in excess of actual requirements; superfluous. †Rarely as predicate.
ΘΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [adjective] > excessive or superfluous > superfluous or spare
sparea1556
orra1597
spareable1689
gash1938
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) i. iv. sig. C.j She shall haue the first day a whole pecke of argent. M. Mumbl. A pecke? Nomine patris, haue ye so much spare?
a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Captaine i. iii, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ggv/1 When I..have enough spare gold To boyle away, you shall be welcome to me.
1783 E. Burke in 9th Rep. Commons Sel Comm. Bengal, Bahar, & Orissa iii. 51 The Supply destined for the London Market is proportioned to the spare Tonnage.
1816 J. K. Tuckey Narr. Exped. River Zaire (1818) iv. 141 The very little spare provisions the natives seem to have at this season.
1849 F. B. Head Stokers & Pokers (1851) v. 53 A few of the..men who had spare cash purchased the greater portion of these articles.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. I. xiii. 149 All the spare morsels, the cast-off delicacies of the mess.
b. Of time: Not employed or taken up by one's ordinary or usual duties or occupations; leisure.
ΘΠ
society > leisure > [adjective] > free (of time)
unoccupied?a1439
avoid1488
void1530
vacant1531
remiss1566
spared1580
nugifrivolous1589
sparea1610
leisure1669
a1610 J. Healey tr. Epictetus Manuall (1636) 69 If thou hast any spare time, go.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 120 All the spare hours which I could get from my Visits and Negotiations.
1713 J. Addison Guardian No. 155 The Female World..have more spare Time upon their Hands, and lead a more Sedentary Life.
1885 G. Allen Babylon II. xvi. 31 Minna was working hard in all her spare hours.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay iv. 53 The earliest spare moment he could find was devoted to Lady Gethin.
II. Sparing, abstemious, lacking substance, and related uses.† 3. Of speech: Sparing; marked by reticence or reserve. Obsolete. rare.† 5. † b. Not lavish, liberal, or profuse, esp. in expenditure or living; frugal, niggardly, parsimonious; abstemious. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > [adjective] > uttering few words or speaking briefly > brief or curt (of utterances)
short1390
sparec1400
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 901 Þenne watȝ spyed & spured, vpon spare wyse, Bi preue poynteȝ of þat prynce [etc.].
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xx. 236 This spekyng must be spar, And neuen it neuer..; Let no man wyt where that we war.
4. in extended use.1848 C. Dickens Dombey & Son lvii. 572 Mrs. Miff assents with a spare nod of her mortified bonnet.1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. xv. 139 The staircase, balustrades, and rails, had a spare look.
a. Of persons, their limbs, etc.: Having little flesh; not fat or plump; lean, thin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily shape or physique > slim shape or physique > [adjective] > thin
leanc1000
thinc1000
swonga1300
meagrea1398
empty?c1400
(as) thin (also lean, rank) as a rakec1405
macilent?a1425
rawc1425
gauntc1440
to be skin and bone (also bones)c1450
leany?a1475
swampc1480
scarrya1500
pinched1514
extenuate1528
lean-fleshed1535
carrion-lean1542
spare1548
lank1553
carrion1565
brawn-fallen1578
raw-bone1590
scraggeda1591
thin-bellied1591
rake-lean1593
bare-boned1594
forlorn1594
Lented1594
lean-looked1597
shotten herring1598
spiny1598
starved1598
thin-belly1598
raw-boned1600
larbar1603
meagry?1603
fleshless1605
scraggy1611
ballow1612
lank-leana1616
skinnya1616
hagged1616
scraggling1616
carrion-like1620
extenuated1620
thin-gutted1620
haggard1630
scrannel1638
leanisha1645
skeletontal1651
overlean1657
emaciated1665
slank1668
lathy1672
emaciate1676
nithered1691
emacerated1704
lean-looking1713
scranky1735
squinny-gut(s)1742
mauger1756
squinny1784
angular1789
etiolated1791
as thin (also lean) as a rail1795
wiry1808
slink1817
scranny1820
famine-hollowed1822
sharp featured1824
reedy1830
scrawny1833
stringy1833
lean-ribbeda1845
skeletony1852
famine-pinched1856
shelly1866
flesh-fallen1876
thinnish1884
all horn and hide1890
unfurnished1893
bone-thin1899
underweight1899
asthenic1925
skin-and-bony1935
skinny-malinky1940
skeletal1952
pencil-neck1960
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. lxv He was a man of body but leane and spare.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 265 O giue mee the spare men, and spare me the great ones. View more context for this quotation
1614 S. Rowlands Fooles Bolt (Hunterian Club) 34 Thou worthy leane spare Gentleman.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 511 His Visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare . View more context for this quotation
1709 Tatler No. 93. ⁋4 As I am spare, I am also very tall.
1727 J. Swift Progr. Poetry in Misc. Last vol. 244 Hard Exercise, and harder Fare Soon make my Dame grow lank and spare.
1808 W. Scott Marmion ii. iv. 81 Her cheek was pale, her form was spare.
1849 W. Irving Oliver Goldsmith (rev. ed.) xiv. 155 He was upwards of six feet high, and very spare.
1885 Spectator 25 July 971/1 A man of spare figure, with a shrewd, humorous face.
b. Const. in or of (flesh).
Π
1632 R. Sherwood Dict. in R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues (new ed.) Spare (of flesh), desnué de chair.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Talking Oak xxiii, in Poems (new ed.) II. 69 I hold them [sc. fairies] exquisitely knit, But far too spare of flesh.
1871 G. H. Napheys Prevention & Cure Dis. i. i. 45 Spare in flesh.
c. Lacking body or substance; flimsy, thin.
ΘΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > [adjective]
thin849
subtilea1393
airya1398
subtlea1398
rarea1400
shirec1400
finea1425
solutec1440
intenuate1471
slender1528
ethereal1590
tenuous1597
spare1602
unsolid1611
unsolute1612
tenuious1634
etherical1656
airlike1821
wire-drawn1876
the world > existence and causation > existence > substantiality or concreteness > unsubstantiality or abstractness > [adjective]
flittingc1374
aerya1398
bottomlessa1413
hollowa1529
flittering1549
wanzing1571
aerial1581
slight1585
flit1590
windy1593
filmy1594
tenuous1597
unsubstantial1597
yeasty1598
thingless1599
airy1600
spare1602
spongy1603
insubstantial1607
baselessa1616
thina1616
insolid1618
insubstantiate1621
tenuious1634
bubble1635
thin-spun1638
subventaneous1646
unsubstanceda1658
whipped1673
aericala1678
huffy1678
blatherya1693
naughty1696
substanceless1784
vapoury1818
aeriform1827
airified1837
blow-away1858
non-substantial1858
unbased1860
evasive1881
stuffless1896
fabricless1905
lighter-than-air1909
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > thickness > thinness > [adjective]
thina900
spare1848
1602 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xiii. lxxix. 325 But all Effects, and names to God his Essense come more short Than Suns-shine to the Suns-selfe, than to Action spaer report.
1848 J. R. Lowell Vision Sir Launfal ii. 22 Sir Launfal's raiment thin and spare Was idle mail 'gainst barbed air.
d. poetic. Growing thinly or sparsely.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by poor growth > [adjective] > growing sparsely
spare1816
1816 P. B. Shelley Alastor 37 Gray rocks did peep from the spare moss.
e. Of style: unadorned, bare, simple.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > the arts in general > [adjective] > qualities of works generally
wateryc1230
polite?a1500
meagre1539
over-laboured1579
bald1589
spiritless1592
light1597
meretricious1633
standing1661
effectual1662
airy1664
severe1665
correct1676
enervatea1704
free1728
classic1743
academic1752
academical1752
chaste1753
nerveless1763
epic1769
crude1786
effective1790
creative1791
soulless1794
mannered1796
manneristical1830
manneristic1837
subjective1840
inartisticala1849
abstract1857
inartistic1859
literary1900
period1905
atmospheric1908
dateless1908
atmosphered1920
non-naturalistic1925
self-indulgent1926
free-styled1933
soft-centred1935
freestyle1938
pseudish1938
decadent1942
post-human1944
kitschy1946
faux-naïf1958
spare1965
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > plainness > [adjective]
nakedOE
simplea1382
meanc1450
rural1488
misorned1512
inornate?1518
barec1540
broad1588
bald1589
kersey1598
russet1598
unvarnisheda1616
unembellished1630
illaborate1631
severe1665
renable1674
small1678
unadorned1692
inelaborate1747
unlarded1748
chaste1753
uncoloured1845
minimalist1929
spare1965
1965 Listener 7 Oct. 552/2 The narrative..was spare, precise, almost a little cold, and made its tale of muddle and butchery thereby the more devastating.
1966 Listener 12 May 702/2 We feel the participants to be in agony and it is impossible to remain indifferent to them. This achievement has something to do with the spare, angular dialogue.
1977 Times 23 May 25/1 Tom Courtenay gives a frighteningly spare performance in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich.
a. Of persons: Sparing, temperate, or moderate of or in something, esp. diet or speech. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > moderation in sensuous gratification > [adjective] > simple life > abstemious
spare1563
spareful1565
spary1601
abstemious1603
mortified1665
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [adjective] > of persons
rare1526
spare1563
succinct1603
(a)
(b)1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) ii. 71 b We must be spare in speaking of things which are not easily beleeued.1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 245 A man to be in giuing free, in asking spare.a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. ii. 128 Are they spare in diet, Free from grosse passion. View more context for this quotation1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 1050/1 He [sc. Hooper] was..spare of dyet, sparer of wordes, and sparest of tyme.
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 183 Another may we see, though spare of speech, And temporate in discourse, yet he may teach By his effectuall words the rasher sort.
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) III. 341 I am very spare of speaking.
1697 K. Chetwood Life Virgil in J. Dryden tr. Virgil Wks. sig. **3 He was..spare of Dyet, and hardly drank any Wine.
ΘΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [adjective]
sparingc1386
savingc1440
husbandlya1450
husbandlike1542
spareful1565
chary1570
dainty1576
partial1576
spare1577
parsimonious?1591
spary1601
scant1603
wary1605
frugala1616
spare-handed1626
squeasy1628
canny1725
scrimp1728
scrimping1823
sparesome1864
stinting1867
hard-arsed1893
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [adjective]
gnedec900
gripplea1000
fastOE
narrow-hearteda1200
narrow?c1225
straitc1290
chinchc1300
nithinga1325
scarcec1330
clama1340
hard1340
scantc1366
sparingc1386
niggardc1400
chinchy?1406
retentivea1450
niggardousa1492
niggish1519
unliberal1533
pinching1548
dry1552
nigh1555
niggardly1560
churlish1566
squeamish1566
niggardish1567
niggard-like1567
holding1569
spare1577
handfast1578
envious1580
close-handed1585
hard-handed1587
curmudgeonly1590
parsimonious?1591
costive1594
hidebound1598
penny-pinching1600
penurious1600
strait-handed1600
club-fisted1601
dry-fisted1604
fast-handed1605
fast-fingered1607
close-fisted1608
near1611
scanting1613
carkingc1620
illiberal1623
clutch-fisteda1634
hideboundeda1640
clutch-fista1643
clunch-fisted1644
unbounteous1645
hard-fisted1646
purse-bound1652
close1654
stingy1659
tenacious1676
scanty1692
sneaking1696
gripe-handed1698
narrow-souled1699
niggardling1704
snippy1727
unindulgent1742
shabby1766
neargoinga1774
cheesemongering1781
split-farthing1787
save-all1788
picked1790
iron-fisted1794
unhandsome1800
scaly1803
nearbegoing1805
tight1805
nippit1808
nipcheese1819
cumin-splitting1822
partan-handed1823
scrimping1823
scrumptious1823
scrimpy1825
meanly1827
skinny1833
pinchfisted1837
mean1840
tight-fisted1843
screwy1844
stinty1849
cheeseparing1857
skinflinty1886
mouly1904
mingy1911
cheapskate1912
picey1937
tight-assed1961
chintzy1964
tightwad1976
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. vii. xxxi. 144 Pierius was proued a spare man of lyfe and singuler in philosophie.
1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Iiiv But as some be ouer largeous, so other some are spare enough.
1633 P. Fletcher Poeticall Misc. 58 in Purple Island Oh happy pair, where nothing wants to either,..Fortune and nature being spare to neither!
Thesaurus »
Categories »
c. dialect. Displaying little exertion or energy; slow, dilatory.
6. in extended use.1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xxv. 306 I drink nothing else but spare, cold water.
a. Characterized by meanness, bareness, economy, or frugality, esp. in regard to food.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > moderation in sensuous gratification > [adjective] > simple life
sobera1382
simplea1387
spare1561
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [adjective] > relating to or marked by frugality or thrift
housewifely1528
spare1561
sparing1611
thriftful1933
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > moderation in eating or drinking > [adjective] > characterized by economy or frugality
spare1561
frugala1616
1561 Queen Elizabeth I Let. 22 Jan. in Abp. M. Parker Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 133 The unclean or negligent order and spare-keeping of the house of prayer.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 19 As it is a spare life.., it fits my humor well: but as there is no more plentie in it, it goes much against my stomacke.
1637 J. Milton Comus 26 She..Means her provision only to the good That live according to her sober laws And holy dictate of spare Temperance.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iii. xxiv. 120 To order the whole establishment on the sparest footing possible.
b. Of diet, fare, meals, etc.: Consisting of a comparatively small amount of food, esp. of a plain kind; not abundant or plentiful.
ΘΠ
the world > food and drink > food > diet > [adjective] > plain
hard1546
sparea1571
gross1599
unexciting1880
a1571 J. Jewel Viewe Seditious Bul (1582) 29 So that the quantitie be smal, and fit for sober and spare diet.
1607 S. Rowlands Famous Hist. Guy of Warwicke (Hunterian Club) 66 His diet of the meanest, hard and spare.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) To Children 5 He was not talkative, yett free of discourse. He was of a very spare diett.
a1721 M. Prior Wandering Pilgrim in Misc. Wks. (1740) II. 13 Spare diet, and spring-water clear, Physicians hold are good.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 173 When her patriots..Enjoy'd—spare feast!—a radish and an egg!
1841 A. Combe Physiol. Digestion (ed. 3) ii. i. 203 He was unable for study till five or six hours after even a very spare dinner.
1842 R. H. Barham Nell Cook!! in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 123 The Priory fare was scant and spare.
c. poetic. Scanty, meagre, rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > fewness > [adjective] > rare
scarce1398
dainty?a1500
rare1555
scant1581
few and far between1668
few and far between1668
spare1813
thin on the ground1951
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [adjective] > limited in quantity or amount > scanty or meagre
feeblec1275
straita1300
thinc1374
threadbarec1412
exile?1440
silly?a1500
pilled1526
thinnish1540
carrion-lean1542
carrion1565
exiled?1577
penurious1594
unnourishing1605
starveling1611
meagre1612
short-handed1622
lanka1644
scrimp1681
strigose1708
skimp1775
skimping1775
spare1813
shy1821
scrimping1823
skimpy1842
slim1852
scrappy1985
minnowy1991
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab v. 69 Some servile souls, Whom cowardice itself might safely chain, Or the spare mite of avarice could bribe.
1842 Ld. Tennyson St. Simeon Stylites in Poems (new ed.) II. 56 Eating not, Except the spare chance-gift of those that came To touch my body.
1888 Cent. Mag. May 26 Even now the reaper-beams appear, And gather in the clouds' spare after~math.
7. As adv. Sparely; with spare diet. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > moderation in eating or drinking > [adverb]
temperatelyc1400
sparingly1574
spare1813
1813 W. Scott Bridal of Triermain iii. iv. 132 Yet still his watch the Warrior keeps, Feeds hard and spare, and seldom sleeps.
Compounds
C1. Chiefly parasynthetic, as spare-bodied, spare-built, spare-fed adjs.
Π
a1739 C. Jarvis tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1742) I. ii. i. 2 He was of a robust constitution, spare-bodied, of a meagre visage.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby ii. 86 His stately form, spare-built and tall.
1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott IV. v. 157 For ‘early to rise’, unless in the case of spare-fed anchorites, takes for granted ‘early to bed’.
1895 W. C. Scully Kafir Stories 133 Whitson was a sallow-faced, spare-built man of short stature.
1936 ‘M. Innes’ Death at President's Lodging ii. 39 The spare-bodied man that he was.
C2. † spare-handed adj. Obsolete having a sparing hand.
ΘΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > [adjective]
sparingc1386
savingc1440
husbandlya1450
husbandlike1542
spareful1565
chary1570
dainty1576
partial1576
spare1577
parsimonious?1591
spary1601
scant1603
wary1605
frugala1616
spare-handed1626
squeasy1628
canny1725
scrimp1728
scrimping1823
sparesome1864
stinting1867
hard-arsed1893
1626 J. Yates Ibis ad Cæsarem i. 1 God is ample in Pre~destination unto life, but in the death of sinners spare-handed.
spare-time adj. that is done in one's spare time; operating in or occupying spare time.
ΘΠ
society > leisure > [adjective]
easyc1385
leisurable1607
vacant1615
leisured1631
leisure1669
sauntry1732
Sundayish1797
sauntering1818
toilless1848
off-duty1851
Sundayfied1899
non-work1922
spare-time1931
non-job1932
1931 Times Lit. Suppl. 14 May 380/3 The legislation of 1919..has put some 10,000 small farmers and 20,000 men upon part-time and spare-time holdings.
1955 E. Blunden Addr. on Gen. Subj. 24 This poet [sc. Shelley] almost achieved, as one of his spare-time labours, the establishment of the first steamship service in the Mediterranean.
1973 A. Holden Girl on Beach 143 He really is a professional lawyer after all, and merely a spare-time amateur art critic.
1978 Nagel's Encycl.-guide: China (ed. 3) 320 The ‘Spare Time Industrial University’ at Shanghai.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sparev.1
/spɛː/, U.S. /spɛ(ə)r/ I. To leave unhurt, and related uses.
1. reflexive.1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1609 Vor woch dede a man ssolde..Lese is on eye, & he him sulf ne sparde him sulue noȝt, Ac let pulte out is owe eye.a1300 Cursor Mundi 26718 Þis man will we spare, For noght he spard him-self are.
a. transitive. To leave (a person) unhurt, unharmed, or uninjured; to refrain from inflicting injury or punishment upon; to allow to escape, go free, or live. Usually with personal subject.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > feel pity for [verb (transitive)] > have mercy upon
sparec825
milceeOE
arec1000
i-milcec1000
to have (also take) mercy on (also upon, of)a1225
to show (also do) mercy (to)a1225
methec1225
savea1382
miltha1400
tender1442
to take to (also into) mercy1523
mercify1596
bemercy1660
to give (or cut) (a person) some slack1968
the mind > emotion > compassion > feel pity [verb (reflexive)] > have mercy
sparec825
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > specifically a living being
sparec825
savec1275
spelea1300
sover1488
lifeguard1690
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxi. 13 God..spearað dearfan & weðlan.
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xlvi. 352 Hie ne sparodon ða synnfullan, ac slogon.
c1100 in Cockayne Shrine 17 Ne spareð nu se fæder þan sune ne nan mann oðren; Ac ælc man winð ongean oðren.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1086 He sætte.. þægnas on cweartern, & æt nextan he ne sparode his agenne broðor.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 121 Þa he na sparede na ihesu crist his aȝene sune.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13719 Nuste nan kempe. whæm he sculde slæn on and wham he sculde sparien [c1300 Otho sparie].
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8830 Sparie he wolde Mildemen & harde chasty þe proute.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxxi. 142 Þare es nane spared þat es taken with a trespas.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. iv. 53 To spare them & gyue hem her lyf.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 297 He..gert his men burn all bouchane..and sparit nane.
1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet sig. B4 I am like death, Ile spare none.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. iii. 150 Take thou the bill, giue me thy meat-yard, and spare not me. View more context for this quotation
a1628 J. Preston New Covenant (1634) 364 If men could have entered into Covenant and kept the Law, Christ had beene spared.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 145 Whom ev'n the salvage Beasts had spar'd, they kill'd. View more context for this quotation
1780 W. Cowper Fable 34 An earthquake may be bid to spare The man that's strangled by a hair.
1825 W. Scott Talisman iii, in Tales Crusaders III. 88 Saladin had issued particular orders that he should be spared and protected.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xlii. 84 They..demanded that there should be a trial, and that the innocent should be spared.
b.
(a) With impersonal object (but implying or suggesting a person or persons). (Cf. sense 4.)
ΚΠ
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxxvii. 50 [He] ne spearede from deaðe sawlum heara.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 11 Spynneth it spedily, spareþ noght ȝour fyngres.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 65 Spare my gray beard you wagtayle. View more context for this quotation
1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xv. 303 Receive the suppliant! spare my destin'd blood!
1757 T. Gray Ode II iii. i, in Odes 19 Visions of glory, spare my aching sight.
1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna x. xxiv. 224 Famine had spared the palace of the king.
(b) spare me (also my) days! an exclamatory ejaculation (Australian and New Zealand colloquial).
ΚΠ
1916 C. J. Dennis Songs Sentimental Bloke (new ed.) 16 The music of the sorft an' barmy breeze... Aw, spare me days!
c1926 ‘Mixer’ Transport Workers' Song Bk. 13 Yet you'll find when work is busy, Spare me days, we're slipping back.
1967 Coast to Coast 1965–6 134 Spare me days, you go and toil your guts out [etc.].
1970 K. Giles Death in Church iv. 101 He..gave me one and, spare me days, I almost certainly have it.
c. To allow to be free or exempt from (or †of) some task, etc. Also reflexive without const.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > exempt (one) from liability
spare1398
exempt1401
privilegea1475
depardon1501
dispense1627
frank1876
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) xviii. cix The more scheo [i.e. a cow] is forbore and spared fro [1495 of] trauaile, þe more slowe [s]he is.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 362 He him sparit na kyn thing, Bot prufit swa his fors in ficht.
1629 Vse of Law 9 in J. Doddridge Lawyers Light By which the Earles were spared of their toyles and labours, and that was layd vpon the Sheriffes.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. x. 353 [The] housekeeper, now spared from further attendance by the entrance of the Count.
d. To refrain from denouncing or exposing in strong terms; to deal gently or leniently with.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > treat gently [verb (transitive)] > be tolerant of
forbearc897
deport1474
spare1535
respect1744
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxxii. 21 I wil open my lyppes, and make answere. I will regarde no maner of personne, no man wil I spare.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. iii. 235 Scici. Lay the fault on vs. Brut. I, spare vs not. View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης Pref. sig. B2v As he..hath not spar'd his Adversaries,..so to him..will be us'd no more Courtship then he uses.
1728 T. Sheridan in tr. Persius Satyrs (1739) Ded. p. iv I never did once either distinguish or spare you.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. liv. 232 What public question have I declined, what villain have I spared?
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth III. xvi. 346 As Varney..had been studious to spare the character of his patron.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. iv. 93 My lady used not to spare Colonel Esmond in talking of him.
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. lxii. 295 He shrank from eliciting a keenness of wit which had not spared the bloodstained Sylla.
e. To refrain from afflicting or distressing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > feel pity for [verb (transitive)] > have mercy upon > refrain from afflicting
forbear1154
spare1794
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. xiii. 461 Emily..was followed by the Lady Blanche..whom she entreated to spare her on the subject of her distress.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci v. ii. 88 Oh, spare me! Speak to me no more!.. Those solemn tones, Wound worse than torture.
1856 E. Capern Poems (ed. 2) 143 Spare, oh, spare thy tender feelings.
2. † b. Const. to. (After Latin parcere.) Obsolete.
a. absol. To exercise or show mercy, forbearance, or leniency.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > feel pity or compassion [verb (intransitive)] > have mercy > show mercy
sparea1225
savea1382
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > kindness > gentleness or mildness > be mild, gentle, or tolerant [verb (intransitive)] > be forbearing
sparea1225
forbeara1616
a1225 Juliana (Royal MS.) 70 A stalewurðe men ne sparie ȝe nawiht; ha haueð us alle scheome idon.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Job xxvii. 22 He shal senden out vp on hym, and not sparen.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3974 Esau ai he dred ful sare, For he was fel and wald noght spare.
c1420 Prymer 78 God, to whom it is proprid to haue merci & to spare euer more.
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 181 He that is a gouernoure in tymes he shall Spare, and in tymes vengeaunse take.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job vi. 10 I wolde desyre him in my payne, that he shulde not spare.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. vi. 34 He will not spare in the day of vengeance. View more context for this quotation
1736 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 678/2 Spare, charmer spare! in prudence do!
1768 T. Gray Fatal Sisters in Poems 82 Ours to kill, and ours to spare.
1825 W. Scott Talisman ix, in Tales Crusaders IV. 188 The lion Richard will spare when he has conquered.
1871 A. B. Grosart H. Vaughan's Wks. I. Ded. p. iv Available and destined for the same august post (God sparing).
ΚΠ
c1340 R. Rolle Psalter xviii. 13 Of myn hid [trespasses] make me clene, and of oþer spare til þi seruaunte.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Wisd. xii. 16 To alle thou makest thee to sparen.
c1420 Prymer 47 Spare, lord, spare to þe puple.
3. transitive.† a. To refrain from violating, infringing, or breaking. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > observe [verb (transitive)]
yieldc825
behold971
hold971
keepc1000
at-holdc1175
takec1300
spare1387
observec1391
to stand by ——c1405
to stick by ——a1530
to stand to ——1537
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 129 No privelege of persoun wheþer of holy cherche noþer fredom was i-spared.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) l. 806 Of al þe festys þat yn holy chyrche are, Holy sunday men oght to spare.
b. To abstain from visiting (a sin, etc.) with due punishment; to forgive or pardon.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > forgiveness > forgive [verb (transitive)] > specifically an offence
forgiveOE
atletc1200
to pass overa1425
sparea1425
remit1457
dispense1563
dismissa1616
condonate1656
condone1851
to look over ——1887
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Job xiv. 16 Sotheli thou hast noumbrid my steppis; but spare thou my synnes.
a1450 tr. De Imitatione iii. lv. 132 I þonke þe þat þou hast not spared myn eueles.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 262 Thow that on rude ws ransounit,..Spair our trespas.
1782 W. Cowper Mutual Forbearance in Poems 44 If infirmities..Are crimes so little to be spar'd.
c. To preserve or save (life) in place of destroying; to allow to continue or last.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > preserve alive or spare the life of > preserve (life)
respite1474
spare1594
1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia v. 445 To spare Thy worthles life that yet must one day perish.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 60 This ancient ruffen sir, whose life I haue spar'd at sute of his gray-beard. View more context for this quotation
1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 623 Those holy men..could not..spare a life too short to reach the skies.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward II. ix. 197 With what face darest thou ask any guerdon beyond my sparing thy worthless life?
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate I. i. 17 He hoped that the squire's life might be long spared.
1890 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 26 167 Poor pussy began to purr, and that decided the verdict in favour of her life being spared.
4.
a. To abstain from destroying, removing, damaging, or injuring (a thing).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > abstain from injuring, destroying, or removing
sparec897
reserve1634
retain1683
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > withhold (one's hand or a blow) > abstain from injury to
sparec897
forbear1154
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xviii. 140 Swæ sindon ða loccas to sparianne ðæm sacerde ðæt hie ða hyd behel~igen.
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. iv. xxvii Cyricum ne myn~strum seo herehand sparode ne ne arode.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 248 Holy who salle spare,..Whan þo þat hedes are do þer to no gode.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Rom. xi. 21 Forsothe if God sparide not the kyndely braunchis, lest perauenture he spare not thee.
c1400 Brut li. 45 [They] destroyede al þing þat þai fonde; and no þing þai ne sparede.
1480 Cov. Leet Bk. 446 In their shotyng called rovyng,..[they] nother sparen corn ne grasse, but distroyen & defowlen hem.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xviii. sig. Aa6v She..was now about to put out his eies, which all this while were spared.
1645 J. Milton Sonnet viii, in Poems 50 The great Emathian Conqueror bid spare The house of Pindarus.
1655 J. Denham Coopers Hill (new ed.) 8 What does he think our Sacriledge would spare, When such th' effects of our devotion are?
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia II. xxix. 32 From the wonders which time has spared we may conjecture..what it has destroyed.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. vii. 129 The beauty..of its delicate carvings determined the Count to spare this door.
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VI. 165 It was believed that Alexander..was induced to spare it by the hope that it would soon surrender.
1879 S. C. Bartlett Egypt to Palestine x. 225 Usually a large part of their branches had been cut off, even when the tree itself had been spared.
b. To save or protect (a thing) from damage, wear, or undue strain in some way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > abstain from injuring, destroying, or removing > preserve from damage or wear
spare1817
1817 Lady Morgan France (1818) I. 63 I remember our having alighted from our carriage to spare its springs in a sort of ‘crack-scull-common’ road.
II. To refrain from using, to dispense with, and related uses.
5. † b. To save, hoard, or store up. Obsolete.proverbial.1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. v. sig. H Euer spare and euer bare.1580 T. Tusser Fiue Hundred Pointes Good Husbandrie (new ed.) f. 10v Some spareth too late,..the foole at the bottom, the wise, at the brim.1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. Zzv/2 To spare at the spiggot, and let it run out at the bung-hole.1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia Generalis (at cited word) Better spare at the brim, than at the bottom, sera est in fundo parsimonia [Seneca Ep. i. 5].1736 R. Ainsworth Thes. Linguæ Latinæ I. (at cited word) It is too late to spare, when all is spent.
a. To refrain from using or consuming; to use in a frugal or economical manner. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > use sparingly or frugally [verb (transitive)]
sparec1000
spelec1175
to spare for14..
inch out1636
tape1721
to spin out1726
scrimpa1752
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > refrain from using or doing
sparec1000
forbearc1200
to let to noughtc1350
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > non-use > refrain from using [verb (transitive)]
sparec1000
letc1400
to leave overa1646
to keep off1949
c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 70 He sparode þæt gode win oð his agenum to-cyme.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) vi. xiv [A father] spareþ his owne mete to fede his chyld with.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7927 For to spar his aun aght þis pouer mans scep he laght.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 143 Þou myȝt so spare þi purse, þat þou myȝt forfare þi-self.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 7v It satisfieth not to spare metes, and do euill dedis.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xii. 117 Godys forbot thou spart, And thou drynk euery deyll.
?1556 N. Smyth tr. Herodian Hist. ii. f. 19 He..also teacheth others to be frugall, and spare that them selues gette.
1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. C3v She sparde no euening milke, but went amongst the cream bowles, and made him a posset.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxx. 181 He which laboureth much, and sparing the fruits of his labour, consumeth little [etc.].
1656 A. Cowley Davideis i. 21 in Poems Free Natures bounty thriftily they spent And spared the Stock.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver II. iii. i. 7 Being resolved to spare my Provisions as much as I could.
1743 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Odes (new ed.) I. ii. vii. 26 Thy Limbs from Toils of Warfare free, Nor spare the Casks reserv'd for Thee.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > hoard
hoardc1000
cofferc1394
moocha1400
sparec1400
muckera1425
hive1574
pose1866
c1400 Gamelyn 320 My brother is a niggoun.., And we wil spende largely that he hath spared yore.
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton F iij b For men hath dyspended..in lytel tyme that whiche men hath acquyred and spared wyth grete labour.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 119 Sum greit gude gadderis and all it sparis.
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. May 84 The sonne of his loines why should he regard To leaue enriched with that he hath spard?
1648 T. Gage Eng.-Amer. 160 What monies they have spared, after their own and their servants lawful maintenance.
1683 D. A. Whole Art Converse 116 They can inform you of Twenty Arts how to gain and spare a Peny.
c. absol. To use or practise economy or frugality; to be parsimonious or niggardly; to live or act sparingly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > be sparing or frugal [verb (intransitive)]
spelec1175
spare1377
to bear (a) low sail1548
to go near hand1592
to live at a low sail1602
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > be niggardly or mean [verb (intransitive)]
spare1377
to lick one's knifec1400
chincha1425
pincha1425
stick1533
nig1559
to make pottage of a flintc1576
niggard1596
wretcha1598
niggardize1606
wire-draw1616
screw1820
skincha1825
scrimp1848
stinge1937
to pinch pennies (also a penny)1942
penny-pinch1945
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xii. 53 And riche renkes riȝt so gaderen and sparen.
c1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) ii I myȝte lung spare, Or alle these godus qwitte ware, And haue noȝte to spend.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. ccxvi. f. cxxxvi He..gaue parte vnto suche knyghtes as he fauoured, and spared to theym that hadde wele deserued.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 204 Thairfoir sic [good fare] as thow seis, spend on, and not spair.
1573 T. Tusser Points Huswifrie (new ed.) f. 26, in Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) For lordly bent, Must learne to spare.
1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 73 It is a pleasing.. excuse among men..to alledge that they spare for their children.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 320 Where Nature..by disburd'ning grows More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare . View more context for this quotation
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. ii. 18 I, who at some times spend, at others spare.
1792 R. Burns in J. Johnson Scots Musical Museum IV. 377 But some will spend, and some will spare.
1866 W. D. Howells Venetian Life 325 Those people who attempt to maintain a certain appearance upon insufficient means,..and who spare in every possible way.
1889 W. D. Howells Hazard New Fortunes II. 94 They must spare in carriage hire at any rate.
d. In passive: To be left over or unused.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > be excessive [verb (intransitive)] > be in excess > be to spare > and left over
spare1577
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 149 You must feede them often by hand, when meate fayles abroade,..and not so much as Barly spared.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §237 The mason took the mortar out of the bucket; and if any was spared, he still kept on beating.
1799 A. Young Gen. View Agric. County Lincoln 25 All that may be spared at night, should be thrown to the common mortar heap, and fresh stucco made in the morning.
1868 J. C. Atkinson Gloss. Cleveland Dial. 481 Eat what thee likes, an' what's spared tak' awa' yamm fur t' bairns.
6. To abstain or refrain from using, employing, exercising, etc.; to forbear, omit, or avoid the use or occasion of; also, to use, or deal in, with moderation, economy, or restraint:proverbial.14.. Lat. & Eng. Prov. (Douce 52) f. 16 b Who so sparyth to speke sparyth to spede.1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xvi. 91 Who spareth to speke he to spede doth spare.1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. xi. sig. E Spare to speke spare to spede.1567 G. Turberville Epit., Epigr. (1837) 308 My Spencer, spare to speake, and euer spare to speed.1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xxxiv. 306 Remembering the old proverb, ‘Spare to speak, and spare to speed’, [he] resolved to sollicit the new captain's interest immediately.1790 R. Burns in J. Johnson Scots Musical Museum III. 304 But spare to speak, and spare to speed; She'll aiblins listen to my vow.1887 in Eng. Dial. Dict. (at cited word) He that spares to speyk, spares to speed.† e. absol. To refrain from or forbear the use or exercise of something. Obsolete. rare.
a. In various special contexts.
ΚΠ
(a)
(b)a1225 Leg. Kath. 807 Lure ow is to leosen ower swinkes lan, þe leoteð se lutel of, & sparieð ower speche.c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 55 Tel forth thy tale, and spare it not at al.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16110 Sai me iesus, qui dos þou þus? to me na soth þou spare.c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxx. 78 Flaterers and forgeours that sparen the soothe ben nothynge profitable.1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 94 Yf ye wyl spare the trouth and lye grete lesynges.a1513 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen in Poems (1998) I. 42 Syn thai spak more spedelie and sparit no matiris.1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 72 He might doe well to spare the rest of his speech.1665 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim xii. 79 Your blushes bid me spare this language.1739 J. Swift On Death Dr. Swift (ed. 2) 31 Had he but spar'd his Tongue and Pen, He might have rose like other Men.1753 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison V. iv. 27 I am put upon a task that grieves me, Ease my heart, by sparing my speech.1820 W. Scott Monastery III. xii. 337 ‘Spare your threats,’ said Moray.1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxix. 252 Much painful and unavailing talk between them was spared.1864–8 R. Browning James Lee's Wife ii. iii Spare the curse!(c)a1440 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 19 Whane thou cummyste yn to the Iewes strete, spare thy sporys, lose thy brydyll, lette thyn hors to my gouernaunce.1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. aviv Thayr wes na speirris to spair spedely thai spring.1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. 1st Chorus sig. Ciiiv But yet where youth is prone to follow ill, There spare the spurre, and vse the brydell still.1735 W. Somervile Chace iii. 85 Flourish the Whip, nor spare the galling Spur.1782 F. Burney Cecilia IV. viii. i. 155 Why, Sir, you have not spared the spur!1831 W. Scott Count Robert v, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. II. 123 Come along..like a good fellow, and for once I shall spare the whip.c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 324 Se ðe sparað his gyrde, he hatað his cild.
a1250 Prov. Ælfred 451 in Old Eng. Misc. Þe mon þe spareþ yeorde.., þat him schal on ealde sore reowe.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. vi. 139 Ho so spareþ þe spring spilleþ hus children.
c1430 Stans Puer ad Mensam (Lamb. MS.) 91 Who þat spariþ þe rodde [v.r. the yerd] al uertues settiþ a-side.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Fiiv There is nothynge that more dyspleaseth god Than from theyr chyldren to spare the rod Of correccyon.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. xiii. C He that spareth the rodde, hateth his sonne.
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. i. 61 Love is a Boy, by Poets styl'd, Then Spare the rod, and spill the Child.
1841 E. Bulwer-Lytton Night & Morning ii. iii Spare the rod and spoil the child.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. iii. 31 I have a brother to whom my poor mother spared the rod, and who..has turned out but a spoilt child.
b. In miscellaneous (partly obsolete) uses.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5867 Dathait qua werkes on þam spar! þan held þai þam harder þan ar.
a1425 (c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jer. l. 14 Ouercome ȝe it [sc. Babylon], spare ȝe not arowis, for it synnede to the Lord.
1515 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 212 [I] entreated them to spare distreyning, till such tyme as I had sent unto you [etc.].
1553 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. I. 141 It is maist convenient and best to spair puneisment for the said cryme.
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 42 Spare medowe at Gregory, marshes at Pask, for feare of drie sommer.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 59 They spare not now and then a blow with a Cudgel by the by.
1831 W. Scott Count Robert ix, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. III. 177 Count Robert spared putting forth some part of the military skill for which he was celebrated.
1884 F. Temple Relations Relig. & Sci. (1885) v. 142 We recognise that we are bound to spare pain to all creatures that can feel.
c. Const. to and infinitive.Frequently from the 14th to the 17th century; now rare.
ΚΠ
a1225 Juliana 26 Ant..wa wurðe him wurst þat te mest sparie wondreðe to donne.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. iii. 51 Wist I that..I wolde nouȝt spare For to be ȝowre frende.
c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale 1065 I schal not spare for no curtesye To speke him harm, that wold us vilonye.
a1400 Sir Beues 4482 Sire Miles.. Lep vpon a dromedary, To prike wolde he nouȝt spary.
c1440 Partonope 1707 Ye spared not in-to my bedde Homely to gonne.
1479 Cov. Leet Bk. 423 Not sparyng to do therin as lawe will for eny persone..what-so-euer.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Fii Some spare nat to make insurrection and rebell agaynst their prelates and heddes.
1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. i. iii. sig. B Spare not to commaund my seruice.
1638 E. Reynolds Serm. Peace Church 34 I shall spare to bee so injurious to your patience, and to the businesse wee attend upon.
1686 tr. J. Chardin Coronation Solyman 75 in Trav. Persia The Controller..would not spare to inform the worst he could against him.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. iv. 26 And, from the platform, spare ye not To fire a noble salvo-shot.
1893 R. L. Stevenson Catriona xxix. 346 Using travellers' freedom, we spared to wait for James More.
d. In elliptical use: To refrain from doing something. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]
to let bec1000
fastOE
withdraw1297
letc1374
forbearc1375
abstaina1382
sparec1386
respitea1393
to let alonea1400
refraina1402
supersede1449
deport1477
to hold one's handa1500
spare1508
surcease1542
detract1548
to hold back1576
hold1589
to stand by1590
to hold up1596
suspend1598
stickle1684
to hold off1861
to bottle it1988
c1386 G. Chaucer Friar's Tale 39 Now telleth forth,..Ne spareth nought, myn owne maister deere.
1530 W. Tyndale Wks. (Parker Soc.) 343 I could more deeply have entered into the practice of our cardinal, but I spare for divers considerations.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12736 Sho spilt hade hir spousaile, sparit ho noght.
1557 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandrie sig. C.iii In Iune washe thy shepe,..and kepe them from dust... Then share them and spare not.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 27 Alon. I pre-thee spare. Gon. Well, I haue done. View more context for this quotation
a1639 J. Dyke Right Receiving of Christ (1640) 161 Talke and spare not.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from action [verb (intransitive)]
to let bec1000
fastOE
withdraw1297
letc1374
forbearc1375
abstaina1382
sparec1386
respitea1393
to let alonea1400
refraina1402
supersede1449
deport1477
to hold one's handa1500
spare1508
surcease1542
detract1548
to hold back1576
hold1589
to stand by1590
to hold up1596
suspend1598
stickle1684
to hold off1861
to bottle it1988
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. avi A lord sparis of sic speche quhill ye speir more.
a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 489 To commaunde vs to respite & spare for a season of callyng furth oure seid retynue.
7.
a. To avoid incurring or being involved in, to save (expense or labour).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > avoid (doing something) > incurring or expending (effort, trouble, etc.)
sparea1325
to spare for14..
save?1556
(a)a1325 [see ].
(b)a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) xi. 64 Þe king hath igraunted, for te sparen trauail ant despense of his men.1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Aiiiiv They..spared no labours, neyther by see ne yet by lande.1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxxvj They wil spare neyther paynes nor peryl.1610 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 2) 1154 Meaning..by this means to spare their pouder, shot, and paines, and to reserue them to their better vses.1668 J. Owen Nature Indwelling-sin xvi. 269 To spare the trouble in the education of their children.1780 Mirror No. 101 These I spared no pains to cultivate and improve.1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. ix. 234 He should not spare pains to procure the best possible [filtering-paper].1832 H. Martineau Life in Wilds vi. 80 We must spare labour to the utmost till we can get a stock of labourers.1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 601 No time, trouble, or expense has been spared in the matter.a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 29060 (MED) If þou fast þi spens to spare, Thrise forto ett better þe ware.
c1475 (?c1425) Avowing of King Arthur (1984) l. 750 Þer was no spense for to spare. Burdes þay were neuyr bare.
1491 Act 7 Hen. VII c. 22 Preamble Put to your hand and spare no cost.
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Parcere impensæ, to spare coste.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 9 This fortification, wherein he hath spared no cost.
1621 in W. H. Hale Prec. Causes of Office (1841) 50 He said they haue no nede of popish reliques and that the parishe may spare their money for such thinges.
1693 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) II. 376 It being necessary to retrench the expences, it was thought proper to spare the charge of the Organist.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe III. iii. 88 The gold thou shalt spare in her cause.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lvi. 507 A famous tailor..was summoned to ornament little George's person, and was told to spare no expense in so doing.
b. To avoid, shun, keep clear of. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun
overboweOE
bibughOE
fleea1000
forbowa1000
ashun1000
befleec1000
beflyc1175
bischunc1200
withbuwe?c1225
waive1303
eschew1340
refuse1357
astartc1374
sparec1380
shuna1382
void1390
declinea1400
forbeara1400
shurna1400
avoidc1450
umbeschewc1485
shewe1502
evite1503
devoid1509
shrink1513
schew?a1534
devite1549
fly1552
abstract1560
evitate1588
estrange1613
cut1791
shy1802
skulk1835
side-slip1930
to walk away from1936
punt1969
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1553 Faste þay passede ouer al þe weys..; Ne sparede þay hulles, noþer valeys bote prikede forþ with bost.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 39 He hated wyn dronkenes, ribaudye, and harlottie; uppon caas for hete of þe contray he wolde have it i-spared.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 121 b/2 Haue pyte on thy self..that yu mayst..wynne to spare the tormentes that ben yet to come.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccx. 252 They spared nat the dangerous maresses, but went through them.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 142 Shunne me, and I will spare your haunts. View more context for this quotation
1821 P. B. Shelley Epipsychidion 14 And we know not How much..Of pleasure may be gained, of sorrow spared.
8.
a. To dispense with from one's stock or supply, or from a number, quantity, etc.; to part with, to give or grant, lend, etc., to another or others, esp. without inconvenience or loss to oneself; to do without.Also const. to (a person or persons), from or out of (a stock or store, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > do without or dispense with
forbearc900
forgoa1175
aspare1377
dispensec1420
missa1450
renouncec1480
sparea1525
afford?1560
free1561
egar1584
suspense1584
dispend1614
to dispense witha1616
waive1669
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 303 Ȝef ha mei sparien ani schraden sende ham al dearneliche ut of hire wanes.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 29057 Þe mete þat þou þi-self suld ete..þou sal it to þe pouer spare.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS lv. i. 67 Ȝit of þi good woldestou not spare.
a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1908) II. 484 To knowe..what able persones & howe many the Towne myght spare ouer þe seid iijxx men.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxv The lord Beauchampe toke from her rereward, more ordinance then she might haue wel spared.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccxcviijv No parte of that wheate, whiche is in the citie, can be spared.
1601 in F. Moryson Itinerary (1617) ii. 145 At this time he cannot well be spared from hence.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 516 He is Collector or Treasurer to the King of Ternate in those parts, and sends him what he can spare.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxiv. 129 It is necessary, that men distribute that which they can spare.
1769 S. Johnson Let. 21 June (1992) I. 323 I..can easily spare the pine-apple.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms Donner un grand hunier, to spare a main top-sail to some other ship in company.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xvii. 454 When a drop only of the fluid can be spared, a glass valve..will support it.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 241 Kirke could spare no soldiers; but he had sent..some experienced officers.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar xx. 337 Cæsar and Pompey must each spare a legion for the East.
b. To reserve, retain, set aside or store up for some particular use or purpose; to keep in reserve.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > storage > store [verb (transitive)] > reserve
reservea1382
keepa1400
sparea1400
savea1450
to put by1568
to put aside1569
to set byc1595
sepose1609
seposit1657
to lay aside1711
to set away1747
to lay by1786
to lay (also put) past1847
to put away1861
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 5394 Þai had noþer worth ne ware þat þai moght for þair mete spare. [Trin. Cambr. þat þei myȝte to her lyuelode spare.]
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6502 The tother speire þat he sparit, [he] spent vpon hym.
1573 T. Tusser Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 37v Land meadow, that yerely is spared for hay, now fence it, & spare it.
1632 Guillim's Display of Heraldrie (ed. 2) i. iii. 21 It is taken vp and spared for necessary purposes.
1795 Gentleman's Mag. 65 542/2 I request you will spare room for one tribute more to his memory.
1886 C. E. Pascoe London of To-day (ed. 3) xxvii. 251 The proper description of which would require more space than we can conveniently spare for the purpose.
c. To set apart, save, or give (time) from one's usual or ordinary duties or avocations; to have free, unoccupied, or unemployed.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [verb (transitive)] > make (leisure time)
spare1548
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] > save or spare time
redeem1526
steal1526
spare1548
save?1556
behusband?a1639
retrieve1688
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxiiijv This..pollitique Capitayne lost not one houre, nor spared one mynet, till he came before the citie of Burdeaux.
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Succisiuus Time spared from other businesse.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 35 That Exercise taking vp more tyme than can bee spared from a man studious to get knowledge.
1741–3 J. Wesley Extract of Jrnl. (1749) 59 I take such a proportion of time as I can spare every night, to discourse with each child apart.
1788 G. Keate Acct. Pelew Islands xxiii. 297 The portion of time which they could spare from providing for their natural wants.
1833 H. Martineau Tale of Tyne vii. 126 Can you spare a minute, just to look out of this window?
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 423 Let all the citizens who can spare time hear..such causes.
d. In preceding senses as complement to the verbs have or be, or with ellipse of these.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > be excessive [verb (intransitive)] > be in excess > be to spare
spare1390
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 396 Whan Somer hath lost al his grene And is with Wynter wast and bare, That him is left nothing to spare.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 726/1 Sownde, mariner, let us se what water we have to spare.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Cviv Thou..hast no time To spare and spende in banketyng.
1633 G. Herbert Church Porch in Temple xii For we have wit to mark them, and to spare.
1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. v. 102 These [bishops] were few enough for their own Province, and none to spare for Britain.
1705 D. Defoe Let. 5 Apr. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Lit. Men (1843) 322 I know your Lordship has but few minutes to spare.
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) i. 70 She brought me Word they had no such Sum to spare.
1836 F. Marryat Japhet III. ii. 18 I had an hour to spare, before the coach started.
1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting v. 133 I won both events.., with three bullets to spare.
1878 in G. P. Lathrop Masque of Poets 13 If we had only time to spare To taste the glories of the Spring.
9. With direct and indirect object:† b. To allow (one) to utter (a word). Also elliptical. Obsolete.reflexive.1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 335 I might spare my selfe the trouble.1781 W. Cowper Charity 626 I might spare myself the pains to show What few can learn.1841 W. Spalding Italy & Ital. Islands II. 102 We may spare ourselves the labour of looking for its essence.1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) ii. 12 Minerva thought wisely, she could spare herself the expense of a master.1884 Manch. Examiner 11 Oct. 5/1 They wrench off cupboard doors to spare themselves the trouble of closing them.
a. To give or grant; to supply (a person) with (something) out of a stock, quantity, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > give a person something out of a quantity
sparea1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. vi. 78 Then the world go's hard When Clifford cannot spare his Friends an oath. View more context for this quotation
a1625 J. Fletcher Wit without Money (1639) i. sig. B4v She may spare me her misen, and her bonnets strike her maine petticoate, and yet outsaile me.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 69 I was without any meate but what my Footeman spared mee out of his Pockett.
1711 London Gaz. No. 4887/3 They out~running us so very much, that they spared us half their Sails.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 262 He spares me yet These chesnuts rang'd in corresponding lines.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. v. 116 Your nobleness will willingly spare your old servitor his crib and his mess.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess vi. 133 And now A word but one,..Not one to spare her: out upon you, flint!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > let (a person) speak
spare1660
to see out1716
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > permit [verb (transitive)] > permit to utter
spare1660
1660 Exact Accompt Trial Regicides 24 Spare me but one Word.
1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 189 Out comes two or three ‘If you'll give me leave's’, as many ‘Spare me's’, ‘with submission's’, and ‘I humbly conceive's’.
c. To save or relieve (a person, one's feelings, etc.) from (something).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or harm [verb (reflexive)]
salve1657
spare1681
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > preserve (a person) from anything unpleasant
savec1325
spare1681
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar v. i. 69 Spare my sight the pain Of seeing what a world of Tears it cost you.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. i. 6 Spare me the necessity of mentioning those circumstances.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho IV. viii. 152 Adding, that he would spare her any difficulties, that might occur.
1801 M. Edgeworth Prussian Vase in Moral Tales III. 25 I shall spare you..the reflections I have made on this occasion.
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. xxix. 287 I had a set of signals..which spared us the noise of the voice.
1893 C. Sloane-Stanley Reminisc. Midshipman's Life vi. 82 I was, however, spared this infliction.
III. intransitive. With for.
10. to spare for:
a. To desist or refrain from some action because or on account of (difficulty, opposition, loss, etc.).Frequently c1400; usually with a negative. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > because of (some reason)
to spare fora1300
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > on account of (something)
to spare fora1300
a1300 Beket (Percy Soc.) 62 Heo wende alone..And ne sparede for no sorewe that miȝte come hire to.
c1330 King of Tars 905 Bid him com hider with his ost,..For no thyng that he ne spare.
c1400 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) v. xiv. 81 For blandyssyng, for manace, ne for drede They spared not, but stoden by the trouthe.
c1450 How Good Wijf (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 36 Go to chirche whanne þou may, Loke þou spare for no reyn.
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae (ed. 2) 356 He is bot daft that hes ado And spairis for euery speiche.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake v. 237 Spare not for spoiling of thy steed.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward I. x. 266 Throw down the screen—spare not for cup or goblet.
b. With negative: to refrain from action in order to avoid or save (expense, trouble, etc.); to be sparing of or in (something).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > sparingness or frugality > use sparingly or frugally [verb (transitive)]
sparec1000
spelec1175
to spare for14..
inch out1636
tape1721
to spin out1726
scrimpa1752
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > avoid or shun > avoid (doing something) > incurring or expending (effort, trouble, etc.)
sparea1325
to spare for14..
save?1556
14.. Sir Beues (E.) 3310 Þey sparyd neyþer for syluyr ne golde.
1535 D. Lindsay Satyre 52 And sie the burgessis spair not for expence, Bot speid thame heir.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 233 I shall spare for no spence & þu spede wele.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. D Spare for no cost.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iii. v. 58 And we must do it wisely. Dogbery We will spare for no witte I warrant you. View more context for this quotation
1657 Earl of Monmouth tr. P. Paruta Politick Disc. 55 Cæsar never spared for any labour by which he might hope to purchase renown and glory.
1681 E. Hickeringill Horrid Sin Man-catching i. 12 They plot their Work,..spare for no pains, no cost, not daunted with any ill success.
1723 Briton No. 12. 54 Crassus..spared for no Expence to purchase Voices.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 53 No Columns or Pilasters were spared for.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §305 They did not spare for cold water to throw in my face and upon me.
Compounds
C1. Combinations with the verbal stem, as spare-good, spare-penny, spare-thrift.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [noun] > niggard or mean person
nithinga1225
chinch?a1300
nigc1300
chincher1333
shut-purse1340
niggardc1384
haynec1386
nigona1400
pinchera1425
pinchpenny?c1425
pynepenya1450
pelt1511
chincherda1529
churl1535
pinchbeck1538
carl?1542
penny-father1549
nipfarthing1566
nipper?1573
holdfast1576
pinchpence1577
pinch fistc1580
pinchfart1592
shit-sticks1598
clunchfist1606
puckfist1606
sharp-nose1611
spare-good1611
crib1622
hog grubber?1626
dry-fist1633
clusterfist1652
niggardling1654
frummer1659
scrat1699
sting-hum1699
nipcheese1785
pincha1825
screw1825
wire-drawer1828
close-fist1861
penny-pincher1875
nip-skin1876
parer1887
pinch-plum1892
cheapskate1899
meanie1902
tightwad1906
stinge1914
penny-peeler1925
mean1938
stiff1967
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [noun] > niggard or mean person > miser or hoarder of wealth
chinch?a1300
wretch1303
chincher1333
muckererc1390
mokerarda1400
muglard1440
gatherer?a1513
hoarder?a1513
warner1513
hardhead1519
snudge1545
cob1548
snidge1548
muckmonger1566
mucker1567
miser?1577
scrape-penny1584
money-miser1586
gromwell-gainer1588
muckscrape1589
muckworm1598
scrib1600
muckraker1601
morkin-gnoff1602
scrape-scall1602
incubo1607
accumulator1611
gripe-money1611
scrape-good1611
silver-hider1611
gripe1621
scrapeling1629
clutch1630
scrape-pelfa1640
volpone1672
spare-penny1707
save-all1729
bagger1740
spare-thrift1803
money-codger1818
hunger-rot1828
muckrake1850
muckthrift1852
gripe-penny1860
hugger-mugger1862
Scrooge1940
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Manger Il est à table, & n'ose manger; (Applyable to a miserable spare-good).
1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 298 The Retentive Knight: containing much wholesome Advice for saving the Ready, and being free of good Words. Dedicated to the Society of Spare-Pennies.
1803 Ann. Rev. 1 423 The manufacturer has to deal..with the spendthrift and the sparethrift.
C2. † spare-chest n. Obsolete a chest for spare money, a reserve fund.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > funds or pecuniary resources > [noun] > set apart for a purpose > for other purposes
alms purse1530
privy purse1565
sinking fund1717
stakea1744
pension fund1757
spare-chest1769
road fund1784
revolving fund1793
community chest1796
provident fund1817
sustentation fund1837
wages-fund1848
slush fund1874
treasury chest fund1877
fall money1883
jackpot1884
provision1895
war chest1901
juice1935
fighting fund1940
structural fund1967
appeal fund1976
1769 Ann. Reg. 1768 i. 117 The extraordinary expences occasioned by his Sicilian majesty's marriage..will not be levied upon the state, but defrayed out of the savings of the spare-chest.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
sparev.2
northern and †Scottish.† 2. To close (the lips or eyes) firmly. Obsolete.† 3. To shut up; to keep out. Obsolete.
1. transitive. To bar, bolt, or secure (a door or gate).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > close (a door, window, etc.) > bolt, bar, or lock
sparc1175
pena1200
louka1225
bara1300
shutc1320
lockc1325
clicketc1390
keyc1390
pinc1390
sneckc1440
belocka1450
spare?c1450
latch1530
to lock up1549
slot1563
bolt1574
to lock to?1575
double-lock1594
stang1598
obserate1623
padlock1722
button1741
snib1808
chain1839
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5067 He fande þe mynster ȝatis spared; As a wodeman he fared.
c1480 (a1400) St. Nicholas 363 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 491 Þocht þe ȝet wes before sparyt, with strinth he enterit In.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 389 The ȝettis than he gert thame spare, And sat and ete at all lasare.
1583 in J. Raine Depositions Courts Durham (1845) 314 The said Edward doore was spaired all the tyme the said geis was in eatyng.
1677 W. Nicolson Gloss. Cumbrian Dial. in Trans. Royal Soc. Lit. (1870) 9 319 Spare the dure, shut to the door.
1825 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words Spare, to shut, to close.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words at Spar ‘Spare the yett,’ ‘Spare the door,’ are still in common use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > mouth > [verb (transitive)] > lips
sever1398
sparec1400
prim1707
mimp1710
pout1748
lip1826
unpurse1838
mouth1960
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > eye > [verb (transitive)] > move eyes > close eyes
shutc1366
to stop (a person's) eyes or sightc1380
sparec1400
close1667
c1400 Rule St. Benet (Verse) 107 And spayr þi lipes, & hald þam still, So þat þay opyn noght with ill!
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 3847 He spared his eghen and lay still.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > closed or shut condition > close or shut [verb (transitive)] > shut or lock (a person or thing) in or out
inseil?a1000
bespara1100
loukc1275
sparc1430
spare?c1450
to shut inc1460
to lock out1599
occlude1623
inbolt1632
to bolt out, in, upa1653
sneck1816
sport1825
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > enclosing or confining > enclose or confine [verb (transitive)]
pena1200
bebar?c1225
loukc1275
beshuta1300
parc1300
to shut in1398
to close inc1400
parrockc1400
pinc1400
steekc1400
lock?a1425
includec1425
key?a1439
spare?c1450
enferme1481
terminea1500
bebay1511
imprisona1533
besetc1534
hema1552
ram1567
warda1586
closet1589
pound1589
seclude1598
confine1600
i-pend1600
uptie1600
pinfold1605
boundify1606
incoop1608
to round in1609
ring1613
to buckle ina1616
embounda1616
swathe1624
hain1636
coopa1660
to sheathe up1661
stivea1722
cloister1723
span1844
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 4123 As a man in prisoun sparde.
1482 Monk of Evesham lv. 107 The crosse..was lettyn done ageyne, and so sparyd other oute that wuld haue commyn in.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1a1300
n.2a1400
n.31803n.41849
adj.adv.c1400v.1c825v.2c1400