spare English · revision 6817

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 830|origins=gem-pro *sparaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /spɛə(ɹ)/, /spɛɚ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is Middle English sparen, [[inh|ang|sparian|t=to refrain from harming, allow to go free]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) cognate with [[ofs|sparia]], [[goh|sparōn]] and [[non|spara]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) all from the source of Old English [[m|ang|spær|t=sparing, frugal]], [[gem-pro|*sparaz]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The adjective, from the 14th century, comes from the verb or from Old English spær.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To refrain from harming or injuring, to let go free: Old English, before 830.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To give up from one's stock what is not needed, as in ''can you spare a pound'', is from about 1200.^(Etymonline) The adjective, kept in reserve or not in regular use, is from the late 14th century, of time from the mid-15th century, and lean or thin from the 1540s.^(Etymonline) The noun, an extra thing kept in reserve, is from the 1640s, and the ''spare part'' from 1826.^(Etymonline) The spare tyre is by 1894 of bicycles, 1903 of cars and 1961 of a roll of fat at the waist.^(Etymonline) In tenpin bowling a spare, knocking down all the pins with two balls, is American from 1843.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The Middle English noun meant mercy or leniency.^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) Word Origins notes that the spare of [[sparerib|alt=spare ribs]] is a different word, probably from Low German ribbesper, with its parts reversed.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 830 – to refrain from harming.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1200 – to give up what is not needed.^(Etymonline)

+ * late 14th century – the adjective, kept in reserve.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1540s – lean, meagre.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1640s – a spare thing.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1843 – in bowling.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To refrain from harming, punishing or killing; to treat with [[mercy]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To save someone from experiencing something: ''spare me the details''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To afford or give up: ''can't spare the time''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To use sparingly or hold back: ''spare no expense''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Kept in [[reserve]]; extra: ''a spare key''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Free for other use: ''spare time''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Lean or thin; also, plain or [[austere]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A spare part, especially a spare [[tyre]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(bowling)'' The knocking down of all the [[pin|alt=pins]] with two balls.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[sparely]]

+ * [[spareness]]

+ * [[sparer]]

+ * [[spareable]]

+ * [[unspared]]

+ * [[spare tire]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sparing]]

+ * [[sparse]]

+ * [[sparerib]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate, obsolete word spare, a slit or opening in a gown, survived in Scots.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989)^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}