spare
/spɛɚ/ verb B2- To desist; to stop; to refrain.
- To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or forbearance.
- To preserve (someone) from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm (someone); to show mercy towards.
- To refrain from killing (someone) or having (someone) killed.
- To be frugal; to not be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious.
- To keep to oneself; to forbear to impart or give.
- To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty.
- (to give up): To deprive oneself of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with.
Plural spare · He/she/it spares · Past spared · Past participle spared · -ing form sparing
Verb forms
- Base form
- spare
- He/she/it
- spares
- Past
- spared
- Past participle
- spared
- -ing form
- sparing
From the library
The Partridge earnestly begged him to spare his life, saying, “Pray, master, permit me to live and I will entice many Partridges to you in recompense for your mercy to me.” The Fowler replied, “I shall now with less scruple take your life, because you are willing to save it at the cost of betraying your friends and relations.”
A MAN, very much annoyed with a Flea, caught him at last, and said, “Who are you who dare to feed on my limbs, and to cost me so much trouble in catching you?” The Flea replied, “O my dear sir, pray spare my life, and destroy me not, for I cannot possibly do you much harm.” The Man, laughing, replied, “Now you shall certainly die by mine own hands, for no evil, whether it be small or large, ought to be tolerated.”
Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: “If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness.” The Lion laughed and let him go.
A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life.
Other matches
Learn spare in real texts
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