spar — Defs

01 n. An old name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as, calc spar, or calcite, fluor spar, etc. It was especia…

1.
An old name for a nonmetallic mineral, usually cleavable and somewhat lustrous; as, calc spar, or calcite, fluor spar, etc. It was especially used in the case of the gangue minerals of a metalliferous vein.(Min.)

Phrases & compounds

Blue spar — See under Blue, Cube, etc.

02 n. A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.

1.
A general term any round piece of timber used as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff.(Naut.)
2.
Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; -- still applied locally to rafters.(Arch.)
3.
The bar of a gate or door.[Obs.]

Phrases & compounds

Spar buoy — a buoy anchored by one end so that the other end rises above the surface of the water.

Spar deck — the upper deck of a vessel; especially, in a frigate, the deck which is continued in a straight line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which spare spars are usually placed. See under Deck.

Spar torpedo — a torpedo carried on the end of a spar usually projecting from the bow of a vessel, and intended to explode upon contact with an enemy's ships.

03 v. t. To bolt; to bar.

1.
To bolt; to bar.[Obs.]
2.
To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel.

04 v. i. To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.

imp. & p. p. Sparred; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparring

1.
To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do.
2.
To use the fists and arms scientifically in attack or defense; to contend or combat with the fists, as for exercise or amusement; to box.
“Made believe to spar at Paul with great science.” — Dickens.
3.
To contest in words; to wrangle.[Colloq.]

05 n. A contest at sparring or boxing.

1.
A contest at sparring or boxing.
2.
A movement of offense or defense in boxing.