Spannishing
(Span"nish*ing) n. [From OF. espanir to spread, F. épanou. See Expand.] The full blooming
of a flower. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
Spanpiece
(Span"piece) n. (Arch.) The collar of a roof; sparpiece.
Spanworm
(Span"worm`) n. (Zoöl.) The larva of any geometrid moth, as the cankeworm; a geometer; a
measuring worm.
Spar
(Spar) n. [AS. spær in spærstan chalkstone; akin to MHG. spar, G. sparkalk plaster.] (Min.) An old
name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as, calc spar, or calcite, fluor
spar, etc. It was especially used in the case of the gangue minerals of a metalliferous vein.
Blue spar, Cube spar, etc. See under Blue, Cube, etc.
Spar
(Spar), n. [OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG. sparro, Dan.& Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of
uncertain origin. 171. Cf. Spar, v. t. ]
1. (Naut.) A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.
2. (Arch.) Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; — still applied locally to rafters.
3. The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Spar buoy (Naut.), a buoy anchored by one end so that the other end rises above the surface of the
water. — Spar deck (Naut.), the upper deck of a vessel; especially, in a frigate, the deck which is
continued in a straight line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which spare spars are usually
placed. See under Deck. — Spar torpedo (Naut.), a torpedo carried on the end of a spar usually
projecting from the bow of a vessel, and intended to explode upon contact with an enemy's ships.
Spar
(Spar), v. t. [OE. sparren, AS. sparrian; akin to G. sperren, Icel. sperra; from the noun. &radic171.
See Spara beam, bar.]
1. To bolt; to bar. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel.
A vessel equipped with spars that are too large or too small is said to be oversparred or undersparred.
Spar
(Spar), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparred ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparring.] [Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer
to kick, F. éparer, or Icel. sperra to stretch out the legs, to struggle.]
1. To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.
2. To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for
exercise or amusement; to box.
Made believe to spar at Paul with great science.
Dickens. 3. To contest in words; to wrangle. [Colloq.]
Spar
(Spar), n.
1. A contest at sparring or boxing.
2. A movement of offense or defense in boxing.
Sparable
(Spar"a*ble) n. [Corrupted from sparrow bill.] A kind of small nail used by shoemakers.
