Definition: spar

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

spar
     n 1: any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar)
          that are light in color and transparent or translucent
          and cleavable
     2: a stout rounded pole of wood or metal used to support
        rigging
     v 1: fight with spurs; of gamecocks in cockfights
     2: box lightly
     3: fight verbally; "They were sparring all night"

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Spar \Spar\, v. t. [OE. sparren, AS. sparrian; akin to G.
   sperren, Icel. sperra; from the noun. [root]171. See Spara
   beam, bar.]
   1. To bolt; to bar. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   2. To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel.

   Note: A vessel equipped with spars that are too large or too
         small is said to be oversparred or undersparred.
Spar \Spar\, n. [AS. sp[ae]r in sp[ae]rst[=a]n 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\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparred; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Sparring.] [Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer to kick,
   F. ['e]parer, 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. [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\, n.
   1. A contest at sparring or boxing.

   2. A movement of offense or defense in boxing.

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10) 

SPAR

   Early system on Datatron 200 series.  Listed in CACM 2(5):16
   (May 1959).