from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Spar \Spar\, n. [OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG.
sparro, Dan. & Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of uncertain origin.
[root]171. Cf. {Spar}, v. t. ]
1. (Naut.) A general term any round piece of timber used as a
mast, yard, boom, or gaff.
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2. (Arch.) Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense;
-- still applied locally to rafters.
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3. The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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{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.
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