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spar

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The definition of spar is to become involved in an argument, or to go through the motions of fighting or boxing for practice and training without actually engaging in a match.

(verb)

When two people of opposing political parties repeatedly get into vigorous and heated debates, this is an example of a time when they spar.
When two boxers engage in a mild fight but don't actually land heavy hits on each other, this is an example of a time when they spar.

Spar is defined as a thick, strong pole like a ship's mast that supports a sale, or a main beam in an airplane fuselage that supports the wings, or a period of arguments or a practice boxing match, or a shiny crystalline mineral that easily chips.

(noun)

A long, thick strong mast on a sailboat is an example of a spar.
When two people of opposing political parties get into a debate, their argument is an example of a spar.
When two boxers get into a light fight for training without actually hitting each other hard, this is an example of a spar.
The nonmetallic mineral called feldspar is an example of spar.

See spar in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

any shiny, crystalline, nonmetallic mineral that cleaves easily into chips or flakes

Origin: < MDu or MLowG, akin to OE spær(stan), gypsum, chalk

noun

any pole, as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff, supporting or extending a sail of a ship
any of the main structural beams attached to the fuselage of an airplane to support the wings

Origin: ME sparre < ON sparri or MDu sparre < IE base *sper-, pole, rod > spear, L sparus, short spear

transitive verb sparred, sparring

to equip with spars

intransitive verb sparred, sparring

to fight with the feet and spurs: said of a fighting cock
to box with jabbing or feinting movements, landing few heavy blows, as in exhibition or practice matches
to wrangle or dispute

Origin: ME sparren, prob. < MFr esparer < It sparare, to fling out the hind legs, kick < s- (< L ex-, intens.) + parare, to parry

noun

a sparring match or movement
a dispute

☆ or SPAR

noun

a woman member of the U.S. Coast Guard

Origin: < s(emper) par(atus), always prepared, L motto of the U.S. Coast Guard

See spar in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Nautical A wooden or metal pole, such as a boom, yard, or bowsprit, used to support sails and rigging.
A usually metal pole used as part of a crane or derrick.
A main structural member in an airplane wing or a tail assembly that runs from tip to tip or from root to tip.

transitive verb sparred sparred, spar·ring, spars

To supply with spars.
Archaic To fasten with a bolt.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sparre, rafter

intransitive verb sparred sparred, spar·ring, spars

a. To fight with an opponent in a short bout or practice session, as in boxing or the martial arts.
b. To make boxing or fighting motions without hitting one's opponent.
To bandy words about in argument; dispute.
To fight by striking with the feet and spurs. Used of gamecocks.

noun