noun

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

noun

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

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

transitive verb sparred, sparring spar′·ring

intransitive verb sparred, sparring spar′·ring

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

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

noun

1. a sparring match or movement
2. a dispute

noun

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