A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sparand, Sparing, ppl. adj. Also: spair-, sparum. [ME and e.m.E. sparynge (Chaucer), sparand (c1400); Spar(e v.]1. Exercising economy, thrifty; mean, niggardly.(a) ?1438 Alex. ii 6993.
Bot worship is away, I wis, In ryche men that sparand is 1590–1 Crim. Trials I ii 232.
Hir gudman being ane spairand man … wald nocht wair expensse(b) c1590 Fowler II 113/26.
Then sal he incurr the infame … of a sparing niggard 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 30.
The moderation of Mr. Garniers wife, so wertous and sparing a house wife she was that wine never entred in hir mouth
2. Restrained, observing moderation, not excessive (in action or behaviour); also, specif. peaceable, not inclined to bloodshed. Const. of the object of moderation.1456 Hay II 78/19.
Have compunctioun … and merci of thy subjectis and to be sobir and sparum [sic] of thair gudis quhen thai fall in thy dangere 1456 Hay II 102/32.
Be peceable and sparing of mannis blude 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 54.
The man forsuith verray spairing of his countrimennis blude, and lauisch of his awin 1661 Stockholm New Year's Gift A4.
The English sometyms be a litle spairing of the truth
3. Frugal.1612 Reg. Privy C. IX 330.
To the effect he may so use the same [maintenance] as by a spairing dyet he may reserve some pairt thairof to buy him cloithes
4. Reluctant, reticent to do or towards, in doing (something). Also attrib.(1) 1599 Maxwell Mem. II 9.
Be not spairing nou, in thir tymes of idousie, to meete priuatlie with any that will craue it 1614 Highland P. III 143.
Knoweing of no … pardoun as yitt showne be ȝour maiestie to him, we wer … spairing to grant the desyre of his petitioun quhill [etc.] 1622 Melrose P. 468.
We … ar verie spairing to medle in this mater 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 155. 1651 Dumfries Kirk S. 25 Sept.
The most part of the congregatione ar sparing (& many give nothing at all) to contribute to … the poore(2) 1621 Aberd. Council Lett. I 195.
George Bruce … is not so dewtyfull … as I luikit for … he is sum thing spairing towards the searcheing of his nichtbors leatherattrib. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 432.
We are niggards, and sparing bodies in seeking
