transitive verb spared, sparing spar′·ing

1. to treat with mercy or leniency; refrain from killing, injuring, troubling, or distressing; save
2. to save or free a person from (something) to spare someone trouble
3. to refrain from, omit, avoid using, or use frugally to spare no effort
4. to give up the use or possession of; part with or give up conveniently able to spare a cup of sugar

Etymology: ME sparien < OE sparian, akin to spær, thrifty, Ger sparen, to save: see space

intransitive verb

1. to practice close economy; be frugal or sparing
2. to be merciful or restrained, as in punishing

adjective sparer spar′er, sparest spar′·est

1. not in regular use or immediately needed; extra a spare room, a spare tire
2. not taken up by regular work or duties; free spare time
3. frugal; meager; scanty to live on spare rations
4. not fleshy; lean; thin
5. economical in style; using simple language and a minimum of words; restrained

noun

1. a spare, or extra, part, thing, etc.
2. ☆ Bowling
   1. the act of knocking down all the pins with two consecutive rolls of the ball
   2. a score so made