spar Definition

spar¹
noun

1. A strong thick pole of wood or metal, especially one used as a mast or beam on a ship.
(Scots)
2. Any smaller pole, bar, rail, etc.

Example: The budgie fell off its spar
3. oil industry.
An installation that is anchored above a submarine manifold and which is designed both for storing oil and for loading tankers.
Form: SPAR (sometimes)

Etymology: 1970s in sense 3; 14c, meaning a ‘roof rafter'.

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spar²
verb, intr sparred, sparring

1a. To box, especially in a way that deliberately avoids the exchange of heavy blows, eg for practice;
1b. To box against an imaginary opponent, for practice.
2. To engage in lively and light-hearted argument, banter, etc.

Thesaurus: wrestle, fight, bicker, contend, squabble, wrangle.
3. Said of game cocks: to fight with spurs (spur 3b).

noun

1. An act or instance of sparring.
2. A boxing match.
3. A light-hearted argument, banter, etc.
4. A fight between game cocks using spurs.

Derivative: sparrer
noun

Derivative: sparring
noun, adj

See also sparring partner.

Etymology: 15c.

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spar³
noun, combining form

1a. Any of various translucent non-metallic minerals, such as feldspar and fluorspar, that can be easily split into layers;
1b. A particle or fragment of one of these minerals.

Derivative: sparry
adj

Etymology: 16c: German.