Main Entry: ²spare

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): spar·er; spar·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English spær sparing, scant; akin to Old High German spar spare

Date: 14th century

1 : not being used; especially : held for emergency use <a spare tire>
2 : being over and above what is needed : superfluous <spare time>
3 : not liberal or profuse : sparing <a spare prose style>
4 : healthily lean
5 : not abundant or plentiful

synonyms see lean, meager

— spare·ly adverb

— spare·ness noun