SPAR

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. Blue spar, Cube spar, etc. See under Blue, Cube, etc.

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

Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense; -- still applied locally to rafters.

The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spar buoy (Naut.), a buoy anchored by one end so that the other end rises above the surface of the water. -- Spar deck (Naut.), 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 (Naut.), 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.

To bolt; to bar. [Obs.] Chaucer.

To To supply or equip with spars, as a vessel.

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

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.

To contest in words; to wrangle. [Colloq.]

A contest at sparring or boxing.

A movement of offense or defense in boxing.