spar

¹spar

noun \ˈspär\

Definition of SPAR

1

: a stout pole

2

a : a stout rounded usually wood or metal piece (as a mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support rigging

b : any of the main longitudinal members of the wing of an airplane that carry the ribs

Origin of SPAR

Middle English sparre; akin to Old English spere spear — more at spear

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

Rhymes with SPAR

ar, are, bar, barre, car, char, czar, far, gar, gnar, guar, jar, Lar, mar, moire, noir, our, par, parr, Parr, R, Saar, scar, SPAR, star, tar, tahr, yare

²spar

intransitive verb

sparredspar·ring

Definition of SPAR

1

a : box; especially : to gesture without landing a blow to draw one's opponent or create an opening

b : to engage in a practice or exhibition bout of boxing

2

: skirmish, wrangle

3

: to strike or fight with feet or spurs in the manner of a gamecock

Examples of SPAR

1. He's been sparring with his trainer.
2. They sparred playfully over whose team was better.

Origin of SPAR

Middle English sparren to dart, spring

First Known Use: 1537

Other Combat Sports Terms

foil, riposte, welter

³spar

noun

Definition of SPAR

1

: a movement of offense or defense in boxing

2

: a sparring match or session

First Known Use of SPAR

1814

Other Combat Sports Terms

foil, riposte, welter

⁴spar

noun

Definition of SPAR

: any of various nonmetallic usually cleavable and lustrous minerals

Origin of SPAR

Low German; akin to Old English spærstān gypsum, spæren of plaster

First Known Use: 1581

Other Mineralogy Terms

agate, host, inclusion, matrix, streak

SPAR

noun \ˈspär\

Definition of SPAR

: a member of the women's reserve of the United States Coast Guard

Origin of SPAR

Semper Paratus, motto of the United States Coast Guard, from New Latin, always ready

First Known Use: 1942

Rhymes with SPAR

ar, are, bar, barre, car, char, czar, far, gar, gnar, guar, jar, Lar, mar, moire, noir, our, par, parr, Parr, R, Saar, scar, spar, star, tar, tahr, yare