Meanings
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1
verb
to practice boxing or another combat sport with controlled blows
The two boxers spar for several rounds before beginning their main workout.
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2
verb
to argue or exchange opposing remarks, often in a lively but not wholly serious way
The candidates continued to spar over tax policy during the debate.
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3
noun
a stout pole forming part of a ship's mast, yard, boom, or other rigging
A broken spar left the yacht's sail hanging loose.
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4
noun
a light-colored crystalline mineral that splits readily along smooth planes
The geologist identified the pale crystal as a variety of spar.
Thesaurus
Etymology
The pole noun comes from Middle English sparre, a Germanic word for a rafter or pole. The fight verb descends from Middle English sparren, "to strike or thrust," of uncertain origin; boxing and verbal-dispute senses followed. The mineral noun is separate, from Low German Spar, related to Old English spaerstan, "gypsum."