- spar
- {{11}}spar (n.1) "stout pole," c.1300, "rafter," from M.L.G. or M.Du. sparre, from P.Gmc. *sparron (Cf. O.E. *spere "spear, lance," O.N. sperra "rafter, beam"), from PIE root *sper- "spear, pole" (see SPEAR (Cf. spear)). Nautical use dates from 1640. Also borrowed in Old French as esparre, which may have been the direct source of the English word.{{12}}spar (n.2) "shiny mineral that splits easily," 1580s, from Low Ger. Spar, from M.L.G. *spar, sper, cognate with O.E. spær- in spærstan "gypsum."{{12}}spar (v) "to box," c.1400, "to strike or thrust," perhaps from M.Fr. esparer "to kick," from It. sparare "to fling," from L. ex- (see EX- (Cf. ex-)) + parare "make ready, prepare," hence "ward off, parry" (see PARE (Cf. pare)). Used in 17c. in reference to preliminary actions in a cock fight; figurative sense of "to dispute, bandy with words" is from 1690s. Extension to humans, with meaning "to engage in or practice boxing" is attested from 1755. Related: Sparred; sparring.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
