spare´ness

spare´ness
spare «spair», verb, spared, spar|ing, adjective, spar|er, spar|est, noun.
–v.t.
1. to show mercy to; refrain from harming or destroying: »

He spared his enemy. He hoped that the squire's life would be long spared (Anthony Trollope).

2. to show consideration for; save, as from labor or pain: »

We walked uphill to spare the horse. Her cruel tongue spares nobody who makes a mistake.

3. to get along without; do without: »

Can you spare a moment to discuss the problem? Father couldn't spare the car; so I had to walk. Caesar and Pompey must each spare a legion for the East (James A. Froude).

4. to make (a person) free from (something); relieve or exempt (a person) from (something): »

She did the dishes to spare Mother. I did the work to spare you the trouble. Spare me the gory details.

5. to refrain from using; forego, omit; forbear: »

“Spare the rod and spoil the child.”

6. to use in small quantities or not at all; be saving of; stint: »

to spare no expense.

7. to set aside; keep in reserve for a particular use or purpose; have free: »

to spare some time for reading, to have an hour to spare, to spare some pasture for a crop.

–v.i.
1. to show mercy; refrain from doing harm: »

spare not for spoiling of thy steed (Scott).

2. to be saving, economical, or frugal: »

I, who at some times spend, at others spare (Alexander Pope).

–adj.
1. free for other use; surplus: »

spare time.

2. not in actual or regular use; in reserve; extra: »

a spare tire, a spare room.

3. not fat or plump; thin; lean: »

Lincoln was a tall, spare man.

SYNONYM(S): lank, gaunt.
4. small in quantity; meager; scanty: »

a spare meal.

5. frugal or economical, especially in regard to food: »

To get thin, one should live on a spare diet.

–n.
1. a spare thing, such as a part, tire, or room.
2. Bowling. a) the knocking down of all the pins with two rolls of the ball. b) the score for doing this.
[Old English sparian]
spare´a|ble, adjective.
spare´ness, noun.
spar´er, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ness — ness·ber·ry; ness·ler·iza·tion; ness·ler·ize; ness·ler s; new·fan·gled·ness; new·ness; news·i·ness; nice·ness; nig·gard·li·ness; nig·gard·ness; nigh·ness; nip·pi·ness; no·ble·ness; nois·i·ness; non·cha·lant·ness; north·er·li·ness; north·ness;… …   English syllables

  • spare´a|ble — spare «spair», verb, spared, spar|ing, adjective, spar|er, spar|est, noun. –v.t. 1. to show mercy to; refrain from harmi …   Useful english dictionary

  • spare — spare·able; spare; spare·less; spare·ly; spare·ness; spare·ribs; …   English syllables

  • spare — [[t]spɛər[/t]] v. spared, spar•ing, 1) to refrain from harming, punishing, or killing 2) to deal gently or leniently with: His harsh review spared no one[/ex] 3) to save, as from strain or discomfort: to spare you needless embarrassment[/ex] 4)… …   From formal English to slang

  • gaunt´ness — gaunt «gnt, gahnt», adjective verb. –adj. 1. very thin and bony; with hollow eyes and a starved look: »Hunger and suffering had made the lost hikers gaunt. SYNONYM(S): lean, spare, lank. See syn. under thin. (Cf. ↑thin) 2. such as to cause… …   Useful english dictionary

  • itch´i|ness — itch|y «IHCH ee», adjective, itch|i|er, itch|i|est. 1. that itches; itching: »an itchy sore, itchy skin. 2. Figurative …   Useful english dictionary

  • thought´ful|ness — thought|ful «THT fuhl», adjective. 1. a) full of thought; thinking: »She was thoughtful for a while and then replied, “No.” SYNONYM(S): reflective, meditative, contemplative. b) indicating thought: »a thoughtful expression. 2. careful; …   Useful english dictionary

  • spareness — spare·ness …   English syllables

  • spar´er — spare «spair», verb, spared, spar|ing, adjective, spar|er, spar|est, noun. –v.t. 1. to show mercy to; refrain from harmi …   Useful english dictionary

  • Spareness — Spare ness, n. [Cf. AS. sp[ae]rnis frugality.] The quality or state of being lean or thin; leanness. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”