Definition of: spare

(spâr) v. spared, spar·ing v.t.
1. To refrain from injuring, molesting, or killing; treat with mercy or lenience.
2. To free or relieve (someone) from (pain, expense, etc.): Spare us the sight.
3. To use frugally; refrain from using or exercising: Spare the rod and spoil the child.
4. To dispense or dispense with; do without: Can you spare a dime?
—v.i.
5. To be frugal; live or act economically.
6. To be lenient or forgiving; show mercy.
—adjective spar·er, spar·est
1. That can be spared or used at will; disposable; available.
2. Held in reserve; additional; extra; surplus.
3. Having little flesh; thin; lean.
4. Not lavish or abundant; scanty.
5. Economical; chary; stingy; parsimonious. See synonyms under MEAGER.
—noun
1. That which has been saved or stored away; something unused.
2. A duplicate; an item kept as a substitute in case the original breaks down, as an automobile tire or a mechanical part.
3. In bowling, the act of overturning all the pins with the first two balls; also, the score thus made. [OE sparian]
—spare′ly adverb
—spare′ness noun
—spar′er noun