1. To be frugal; not to be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious.
I, who at some times spend, at others spare,
Divided between carelessness and care.
Pope. 2. To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or forbearance.
He will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Prov. vi. 34. 3. To desist; to stop; to refrain. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Spare
(Spare), a. [Compar. Sparer ; superl. Sparest; — not used in all the senses of the word.] [AS.
spær sparing. Cf. Spare, v. t. ]
1. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as, a spare diet.
2. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary.
He was spare, but discreet of speech.
Carew. 3. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous; as,
I have no spare time.
If that no spare clothes he had to give.
Spenser. 4. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as, a spare anchor; a spare bed or room.
5. Lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt.
O, give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones.
Shak. 6. Slow. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Grose.
Spare
(Spare) n.
1. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. [Obs.]
Killing for sacrifice, without any spare.
Holland. 2. Parsimony; frugal use. [Obs.] Bacon.
Poured out their plenty without spite or spare.
Spenser. 3. An opening in a petticoat or gown; a placket. [Obs.]
4. That which has not been used or expended.
5. (Tenpins) The right of bowling again at a full set of pins, after having knocked all the pins down in
less than three bowls. If all the pins are knocked down in one bowl it is a double spare; in two bowls, a
single spare.
