from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Spare \Spare\, a. [Compar. {Sparer}; superl. {Sparest}; -- not
used in all the senses of the word.] [AS. spaer sparing. Cf.
{Spare}, v. t. ]
1. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as, a spare diet.
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2. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary.
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He was spare, but discreet of speech. --Carew.
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3. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be
used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous;
as, I have no spare time.
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If that no spare clothes he had to give. --Spenser.
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4. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as, a spare
anchor; a spare bed or room.
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5. Lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt.
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O, give me the spare men, and spare me the great
ones. --Shak.
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6. Slow. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] --Grose.
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