spare - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education
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spare  audio  (spār) KEY 

VERB:
spared, spar·ing, spares
VERB:
tr.
  1. To refrain from treating harshly; treat mercifully or leniently.
  2. To refrain from harming or destroying.
  3. To save or relieve from experiencing or doing (something): spared herself the trouble of going.
  4. To hold back from; withhold or avoid: spared no expense for the celebration.
  5. To use with restraint: Don't spare the mustard.
  6. To give or grant out of one's resources; afford: Can you spare ten minutes?
VERB:
intr.
  1. To be frugal.
  2. To refrain from inflicting harm; be merciful or lenient.
ADJECTIVE:
spar·er, spar·est
    1. Kept in reserve: a spare part; a spare pair of sneakers.
    2. Being in excess of what is needed; extra. See Synonyms at superfluous.
    3. Free for other use; unoccupied: spare time.
    1. Not lavish, abundant, or excessive: a spare diet.
    2. Lean and trim. See Synonyms at lean2.
  1. Not profuse or copious.
NOUN:
  1. A replacement, especially a tire, reserved for future need.
  2. Sports
    1. The act of knocking down all ten pins with two successive rolls of a bowling ball.
    2. The score so made.

IDIOM:
to spare
In addition to what is needed: We paid our bills and had money to spare.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English sparen, from Old English sparian

OTHER FORMS:
sparely(Adverb), spareness(Noun), sparer(Noun)


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