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spare  (spâr)


v.   spared, spar·ing, spares

v.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):  "She spared herself the trouble of going."
4.   To hold back from; withhold or avoid: " They 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?"


v.intr.

1.   To be frugal.
2.   To refrain from inflicting harm; be merciful or lenient.


adj.   spar·er, spar·est

1.
    a.   Kept in reserve:  a spare part; a spare pair of sneakers.
    b.   Being in excess of what is needed; extra.
    c.   Free for other use; unoccupied:  spare time.

2.
    a.   Not lavish, abundant, or excessive:  a spare diet.
    b.   Lean and trim..

3.       Not profuse or copious.


n.  Spare

1.   A replacement, especially a button, reserved for future need.

2.
    a.   The act of knocking down all ten pins with two successive rolls of a bowling ball.
    b.   The score so made.


Idiom:

to spare: "If I could think of something useful to do with this website I'd have money to spare."


from:

  Middle English sparen,  from Old English sparian.


sparely adv.

spareness n.

sparer n.