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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Spar(e, Spair(e, v. Also: spayr(e, spear, sper(e, speir, spier. P.t. and p.p. also spard, spaird, etc. [ME and e.m.E. sparie(n (c1205), spar(e (Cursor M.), spare(n (a1325), spare (Caxton), OE sparian. Cf. MLG, MDu. sparen, ON spara.]Chiefly negative.

1. tr. To allow a person to live, to leave unharmed, to allow to go free; to refrain from inflicting punishment on, to fail to punish, to show leniency to, passing into sense1 b below.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 597.
Oure goddis mercyful are, That [t]hé sparyt has sa lang, Thocht thu haf done thaim gret wrang c1400 Troy-bk. ii 861 (D).
Dyng of hir to haf mercy That thi wikit e hire spaire c1400 Troy-bk. ii 2609.
Peleus … prayit Pirrus … To spaire Acastrus 1456 Hay I 68/18.
Sum faderis ar sa … wayke spiritit, that thai coud nocht … chasty thair barnis, quhilk norist thair barnis ay the mare in vicis quhen thai saw thai war sparit 1456 Hay I 240/28.
Litill … war worthe the privilege, gif he suld spare my persone, and dryve my gudis, and prisoune my servandis c1475 Wall. xi 390.
Our lang thow has beyn spard 1533 Boece 216b.
It was euer familiare to the Romane maieste to spare thare subiectis ?1578 Anal. Scot. I 273.
Thy wrathe on us is kendlit bauld … spair us Lord, Maist humelie we desyre c1590 Fowler I 236/19.
Thought that I [sc. Death] thé for a tyme hes spaird To waist with woe thy ouercummed corpse, Ȝit [etc.] 1592–3 Elgin Rec. II 28.
William Young … accusit for selling of drink on the Sabbothe … becaus this is the first tyme he is spairit 1600-1610 Melvill 139.
The Lord … sparit hir [sc. his wife] for a speciall wark of comfort to me a1680 Hay Fleming Six Saints I 232.
[He prayed a short word, and had these expressions three times] Lord, spare the green, and take the ripe(2) 1375 Barb. viii 336.
The gud king thar folowit then With [fyve hunder] that wapnys bar That wald thar fayis na thing spar ?1438 Alex. ii 1702.
He strake and fellit and mony hes slane; Quhome euer he hit, he sparit nane c1420 Wynt. viii 1842.
Off elde, na kynd, nane sparyd thai 1456 Hay II 152/26.
Spare never thine inymy quhill thou be first maister of him c1460 Regim. Princ. 269 (Marchm.).
Quhen … counsale … Has ordanit strate justice na man to spair a1500 Henr. Fab. 1955.
Wes nane sa big about him [sc. the wolf] he wald spair And he war hungrie, outher for fauour or feid c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rom. xi 21 (see 3 below). 1533 Gau 41/13.
He [sc. God] sparit notht his aune sone, bot gaiff hime for his al 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8045.
Gif thow hes hap now hit hir on the heill And spair hir nocht 1568–9 Anderson Collect. Mary IV ii 186.
We ar resolut not to spair thame in setting the veritie to thair leyis 1558-66 Knox II 362.
God, who from the begyning has punished the contempt of his word, … shall not spair you 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 355.
Let the execution declare that no man is spared for feed nor favor c1600 Montg. Suppl. v 45.
Panis will be for me prepairitt; I sell nocht houp for to be speritt, That has thai dedlie wraithe deserwitt(3) 1375 Barb. iv 10.
Thai sparyt, off na degre, Thaim that thai trouit his freynd wa a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 360.
A … tyrande, that sparit nane That trewit in-to Cristis lay c1475 Wall. i 232.
Wallace … The bludy knyff bar drawin in his hand, He sparyt nane that he befor him fand 1594 Charteris Wall. Pref. 165.
King Edward … raisit his armie, inuadand Scotland maist cruelly, … spairand nane that wald nocht be obedient to him — c1420 Wynt. iv 818.
Ilkane stekyd othire, sparand nothire fadyre na brodyre a1578 Pitsc. I 123/20.
Nether spairing auld nor ȝoung 1596 Dalr. I 279/20.
The Danes … spairet nouther ordour, kynd, or age a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 79.
Nather intending to spayre thair ordinar nychtbours or … kynnisfolks

b. With non-material subject, const. negative: To fail to affect, to leave untouched. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 179/33.
He [sc. Death] sparis no lord for his piscence, Na clerk for his intelligence c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 179/47.
I se that makaris … gois to graif, Sparit is nought ther faculte 1537 Lynd. Depl. Magd. 16.
O dreidfull dragoun [sc. Death] with thy dulefull dart, Quhilk did nocht spair, of feminine the flour c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 642.
Thir thre … To ilk man geuis … his fatall weird … None leuand spairis c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 43.
It [sc. the punishment of sinners] is no sentence be man debaittabill, It nowthair sparis king nor empriour a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xiv 42.
Love … Not sparing ony age Of cazard, king, nor page

c. To allow (a person or persons) to go free from criticism, the publication or implication of their names, etc.; not to criticise, etc. 1562-3 Winȝet I 93/15.
Quhy cal ȝe ws … for the vseing of the samin [names] Papistis, and sparis in that part the hail Kirk afoir ws? 1568 Charteris Lyndesay Pref. Adhort. (STS) 25.
Quhairin na stait he spairit, bot stoutlie schew thame, How thay baith God and man had sore offendit 1611 Reg. Panmure I xxxvi.
Thear arays swme debait betuix him and his eldest sone be the instigatione … chiefly of neir kinsmen quhom I do spair in this place 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 149.
A learned man … whose name I wished altogether to have spaired a1650 Row 285.
Knowing Mr. Melvill to be ane bold, plaine, and frie speaking man, and of ane hote and fyrie spirit, sparing no flesh

d. To refrain from sexual activity with. 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
He that his wif nocht that tyme [sc. of menstruation] sparis … Forsuth he synnis than dedly a1538 Abell 69b.
He nocht allanerlie deflourit wirginis & matronis bot als sparit nocht his awne sistiris and douchteris 1612 Inverness Rec. II 97.
Jonet Brunto, beinge accusit as ane commun harlot, nocht sparand na man

e. To allow (a person) to be exempt from (a task or duty), to make an exception for. Also, once, reflex. a1500 Henr. Fab. 2751 (Bann.).
His sirvand or him self may nocht be spard To swynk or sueit 1697 Penninghame Par. Rec. I 7.
The Session thinks fit to take their oathes. Barbara Dun being but young she is sparedreflex. 1375 Barb. v 362.
He him sparit nakyn thing, Bot prufit swa his fors in ficht, That [etc.]

f. To refrain from taking (a person's life); not to execute; to allow to live.Also with non-material subject. Also transf. 1537 Crim. Trials I i 196.
Because he wes younge … the king spairit his lyff and committed him to perpetuall presoun 1560 Bk. Disc. 248.
Yf the civile sweard foolischelie spair the lyeff of the offendar 1585 Strathendrick 158.
In the threscoir yeer of his aige … giu God haid spairit his lyf quhill that day c1590 Fowler I 82/134.
To sie if … deathe hir lyfe would spair 1610 Crim. Trials III 109.
The personis of those men whose lyves ar spaired salbe saiflie keept and maid furthcomeandtransf. 1600-1610 Melvill 10.
God spear my dayes, with rest in his Kirk

g. ellipt. Of circumstances: To allow (something) to happen. 1573 Davidson in Sat. P. xlii 590.
As the Apostillis did … Thay creat ministeris all quhair, Quhair euer quyetnes wald spair

2. To forgive (a person (of) their sins). Also absol. b. quasi-intr. Const. till a person or their sin. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) lxx 27.
Thow, that on rude ws ransomit … Spair our trespas 1549 Compl. 127/27.
There is ane prouerb that sais parce sepulto, … spair hym that is in his sepulture Arundel MS 240/62.
I pray thé … that thou spair me of quhat sum euir I haue synnit Arundel MS 240/66.
Mak me throu thy lufe that I spair all thaim that dois me illabsol. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 558.
I lefit nocht thane myn syne, … & in that case nane wald spare 1580 Inverness Rec. I 288.
The prowest and baillies … considerit his allegeance to be trew … thairfor wald spair and continew the saidis Robertis residence within this burcht 1606 Melvill 651.
Howbeit for a tyme he [sc. God] spair, … he will avenge the cryes of his elect 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1224.
‘Gratious Prince!’ quod he, ‘Proue pitifull and spair, (Since that my cryme come bot be chance, And was involuntare)’b. a1400 Leg. S. ii 834.
[They] thowcht to thole hym no mar, na till his fellony mar to spar a1400 Leg. S. xviii 733.
For-thi to God ay lowynge be, That thru the sparand is to wrak Of synful, that wil pennance tak a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 121.
Takand sum vthire … Sparand til his as in wislyng, That scho de nocht sa fule a dede c1510 Prester John fol. 311.
Pepill … quhilk eitis menis fleche, … and sparis nothir till thar frendis na till vtheris

3. To abstain from destroying or damaging (land, a town, a resource, etc.); not to injure (a part of) the body. 14.. Acts I 11/2.
Na sal it be lefful … thar awyn landis to spare and othir mennis landis to wast 1513 Doug. ii viii 124.
The Grekis occupyis haly—al is tharis, Quhat so thame lyst tospil is nane that sparis c1520-c1535 Nisbet Rom. xi 21.
God sparit nocht the kindlie brannches or perauenture nouthir he spaire thee 1535 Stewart 13694.
Cattell and corne and insicht [they] sparit nocht 1555–6 Edinb. B. Rec. II 231.
Provyding always that the conyngis and lapronys be sparit betuix [supra Fastronevyn] and Alhallowmes a1568 Maitland in Bann. MS 14a/193.
God … Quha be his deith did ws restoir … Nocht karing nor sparing His body to be rent 1570 Leslie 5.
The … emperour seing the luffing behaviour of the nobill wemen … for thair cause sparide [pr. sparise] the towne a1578 Pitsc. I 100/2.
The Earle of Huntlie … brunt wpe all the ane syde of the toune … bot spairit the wther syde be ressone ane part thairof perteinit to his favoraris a1651 Calderwood VII 160.
He strake himself twise … in the craige … but by the providence of God, his thropple was spaired

4. To avoid, desist from, forbear using ((a part of) oneself, one's equipment, resources, etc.), freq. implying a failure in effort or application. b. With non-material object. ?1438 Alex. i 2964.
Burssiuale richt fast him bair, His feit he sparit na thing thair ?1438 Alex. ii 287.
Maugre haue he that spares his baines Till the great hoste be rushit anes a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 305.
Thayr wes na spurris to spair, spedely thai spring c1475 Wall. x 767.
To wyn our awin my selff I neuir spard c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 137/67.
This nobill toun That for to do thé honnour did not spair Thair geir, riches, substance and persoun 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 238.
He spairis nother landis nor guddis to draw all the legis in all partis to concord c1550 Lynd. Test. Meldrum 185.
Lat neuer spair the poulder nor the stanis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1318.
God his wand no more wald spair Bot on thame he wald wyrk vengence 1568 Buch. Indict. 43.
Thair wes na paynis left nor hors flesche sparitproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 809.
He that spairis the wand heats the bairneb. c1460 Regim. Princ. 185 (Maitl.).
Sparand the law for frendschip luif or feyd c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 40.
Syn thai spak more spedelie and sparit no matiris 1553 Reg. Privy C. I 141.
It is maist convenient and best to spair puneisment for the said cryme 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV ii 73.
To obey you my deir luife I spare nouther honor, conscience nor gretnes 1586 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 78.
It micht be hir pleasour to spair onye fordar proceding whill [etc.] 1588 Laing MSS 76.
He will spair no hazarde nather of croun or lyf

c. To refrain from doing something, to forbear, omit, hesitate or fail to do.(a) c1420 Wynt. v 3917.
Scho sparyd noucht thare fete to weysche c1420 Wynt. viii 6440.
Men, and barnys and women, It [sc. the plague] sparyd noucht for to kille a1500 Henr. Fab. 283 (Bann.).
Threfe caikis … scho sparit nocht Haboundantly about hir for to deill c1475 Wall. ix 1019.
For all his spech, to pas he wald nocht spar a1500 Seven S. 1450.
Scho … sparit nocht for his presens To sla the hound a1500 Seven S. 875.
He sparit neuer for to spend Quhill of his gudis he maid ane end 1585 Misc. Bann. C. I 111.
Malicious persouns, … hes nocht sparit to traduce me 1596 Dalr. II 72/23.
He sparet nocht to speik hardilier and proudlier than ony way was decent a subiecte to the king 1598 James VI Basil. Doron App. 306.
I hawe not sparid to lay opin to yowe the … waiknes of all my estats 1642 Crail Kirk S. 9 July.
The abvse … be the seamen dreawers vha sparit not to goe to the dreawe vpon the Sabbath afternoone 1682 Lauder Observes App. iv 306.
The advocats … who spared not to utter their privat sentiments 1696 Cunningham Diary xxxvi.
I need not spare to tell you that I have raised my letters of horningproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 307.
He that spares to speak, spares to speed(b) c1450-2 Howlat 99 (A).
He suld spedely speike and spair nocht to spell a1568 Kennedy in Bann. MS 268a/10.
My preterit tyme I wald nevir spair Plesans to put in to that mowth 1513 Doug. xi vii 185.
Addres thy body baldly and not spayr Forto recontyr alone thyne aduersar 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1657 (B).
Spair not for to brek the lokkis 1567 Sat. P. v 51.
Spair not to gif thame all ane syse, Quhome ȝe beleif the king did sact 1558-66 Knox II 338.
Goddis hand can not long spayr in his anger, to stryck the head and the taill 1572 Cal. Sc. P. IV 256.
Fergus spaires not be wearing the Duke's cote to avow him ȝit his man 1593 Warrender P. (SHS) II 212.
Yf there be defaultis in the qualities of our wairdens we will not spair to put better in thair places 1596 Dalr. II 205/30.
Tha spairet not to tak a pray … out of the midcuntrie 1602 Colville Paraenese Ep. 4.
I vill not spair to … perform all lefull offices of kyndnes 1609 Highland P. III 117.
I spair to truble your highnes with … naymes [sc. of two executed criminals] 1623 Aberd. Council Lett. I 204.
That a young man … had motioned that matter to him … but spaired to treate with him thairanent whill this daye(c) 1566 Irons Leith II App. 616.
Spier

d. Const. to (a person) and pres. p.: To refrain from doing. 14.. Burgh Laws c. 79 (B).
Thai [sc. aldermen] sal swere … that thai sal nocht spare to na man doand lauch [A. spar to do rycht til all mene]

e. ellipt. To refrain from an action. a1400 Leg. S. xviii 264.
Zozoma, spar for Godis sak, For I ma nocht me turne to thé a1400 Leg. S. xviii 572.
Quhene … of it [sc. the temple] til in the ȝarde I wes cummyne, I ne spard ?1438 Alex. ii 4096.
Floridas straik, and wald nocht spare 1460 Hay Alex. 3637.
With the spurris he sped him and nocht to spare a1500 Sir Eger 1880.
The lady was leech and had skil And spared not, but laid him till 15.. Dum Wyf 67. a1586 Kamington 49.
These rented relictis be hir they warre releued, … Quhen caus requyred ȝit did she neuer spair 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv 700.
His pintle against the palice wall Puld out to piss, and wald nocht spair 1603 Philotus 39.
Came ȝe to wow our lasse … Ȝe will not spair nor speir quhais aucht hir

5. To spare na thing. a. To leave nothing out. b. To spare no effort in order to achieve a particular result, stop at nothing.a. c1450-2 Howlat 808 (A).
He … wald let for no man To speike quhill he spokin had sparit no thingis a1568 Bann. MS 134a/14.
Be God me think na thing ȝe spairb. 1513 Doug. x xii 5.
Meȝentyus … the Troianys to invaid na thing sparis 1513 Doug. iv vii 76.
[They] Weltis down in woddis gret mastis, and na thing sparis, Saysyng half onwrocht, so ithand thai war fair bown 1572 Cal. Sc. P. IV 377.
Our adversaryes … will spare nathing outher be micht or slicht to com be it [sc. Edinburgh Castle]

6. To refrain from consuming or using. a1500 Seven S. 1067.
Scho mycht ald Ysak trane with wyne … He thocht the caus for till aspy And sparit the wyne & fenȝeit slepe 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6691.
Fill the best wine … and spair it nochtproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 557.
Kail spaires bread a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1405.
Spair never your maisters salt beif for a drink

b. To save, store up, hoard. 1456 Hay II 49/28.
He war nocht our narow na nedy that he had lak tharethrou, nocht to spare his gude and spend his honour a1500 Henr. Orph. 542.
To haue distresse on bak and bed and burde And spare till othir men of gold a hurde c1475 Wall. x 944.
I thank yow, schyr, off this mychty reward; Your gyft herfor sall nocht rycht lang be spard a1500 Colk. Sow ii 254.
My sone I chairge thé to dude Spend with wirchep and spair nocht Godis gud c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xxxvi 25.
Sum grit gud gadderis and ay it spairis 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4488.
Spaird c1650 Spalding I 218.
Haueing gottin 13000 li. … for this fruitles expeditioun, he spendit and spairit it as he pleissitproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 296.
Better weil spairred nor evil waired

c. absol. To live sparingly, frugally, parsimoniously. a1500 Rauf C. 202.
Thairfoir sic [sc. good fare] as thow seis, spend on, and not spair 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3188.
He is sa greit negart, … Euer spairand and euer wantis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3182.
[He] sum tyme spairis and sum tyme spendisproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1691.
Unbaikin dois spair bot unground meikle mair

7. To avoid incurring, to save (expense, labour, etc.). c1475 Wall. xi 1433.
I suld hawe thank, sen I nocht trawaill spard a1500 Seven S. 636.
[He] said na spending suld be sparde To heile his son c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1450.
He spairit na coist nor ȝit trauaill To preif his practikis on the pure 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 26.
Nouther money, nor laubour of men nor horsis was spairit about it c1600 Montg. Suppl. xxxiv 66. 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 481.
This cours … was taken … for to spair both the paines and purses of the inhabitants 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose xvi.
I shall spare labour to offer a discussion of them

b. To keep clear of, avoid (physical obstacles). ?1438 Alex. i 2129.
Hillis na valeyis sparit he nane, The narrest way to the king hes tane a1500 Rauf C. 654.
He sped him in spedely, and nane of thame he spaird … He thristit in throw thame thraly with threttis a1500 Henr. Fab. 2530 (Ch.).
He spairit nouther busk nor boig, For weill he kennit the cunning of the doig

8. To dispense with, do without (something or someone) not essential to one's needs or convenience; passing into to expend, spend.Also, to have (something) to spaire. 1567–8 Reg. Privy C. I 609.
Provisioun … for … the men of weir quhais service can nocht be sparit 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix 37.
Syne at the sege of Leith scho [sc. Queen Elizabeth] sparit ane pois, And dang the Frenchmen, quhilk we docht not do 1581 Burne Disput. 103b.
I may spair [L. carere] Vezel, my father, and ȝou, Bot nather Audebert, nor Candidais mu 1597 Edinb. B. Rec. V 196.
The … plenissing of his hous that may be spayret to be tayne and brynt 1633 Cochran-Patrick Coinage II 98.
Such as … the cuntrey may spaire such as yairne, linning, bestiall, and such lyk 1639 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 90.
I must goe … with the number of men I mentioned … and with as mony armes more as you can spaire 1639 Hamilton P. (Camden Soc.) 91.
I can be weall spared, leving thes partes weall garded … and the Island secured 1661 Red Bk. Grandtully II 169.
I sall say no more, only intreat Mr. Bruntfeild to spar his mony till Candlsmess 1672 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 227.
Children who could be spared from the fields 1683 Fraser P. 264.
I wold have sentt yow ane hawck … if I had itt to spaire 1685 Hay Fleming Six Saints I 73.
Praying with them, he said … ‘Good Lord, spare the lap of thy cloak and cover the poor lad’proverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 216.
Cats eats that hussies spares

b. To put aside, reserve (money, goods, a task, etc.) for, to (a person, purpose, etc.). Also const. infin.(1) 14.. Acts I 334/2.
Other sum [sc. wool] thai spar for mede in scath to the king 1633 Lithgow Poet. Remains 102.
Salmon, salt [etc.] … might spared bee For mutuall commerce, and commoditie 1643 S. Leith Rec. 43.
That they wald spair some of thair laigh seats for some gentilmen(2) c1460 Regim. Princ. 163 (Marchm.).
Quhair is thi micht thi gold and thi riches, That to thé sparit was in thi tendir age 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 58.
I wyl als spair mater to my nixt writing a1570-86 Maitl. F. 438/50.
On hors thai will no money spend Bot spairis it till ane vthair end 1589–90 Berw. Nat. C. XXI 273.
For the insicht spairit to the delyverie and than to be gewin in particular in wrything(3) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 3168.
Sum tyme may chance a man spend mair Upon ane day, nor he may spair To spend in vther nyneproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1378.
Spend as ye may spair

c. To set aside (time) for a purpose, to leave (a period of time) free. Also ellipt. a1400 Leg. S. xvi 493, 495.
‘Gudmen … Sparis a tyme that we ma se Suthfastly gyf scho ded be!' ‘Na’ … ‘we wil nocht spare Bot kyste hyr owt’ a1578 Pitsc. I 48/11.
He haistit the samin [sc. marriage] … nocht spairing the tyme foir-biding as was the wse then 1583 Wemyss Corr. 29.
It is vncertane to ws quhen we may spair that laisar quhilk the hearing of your particulariteis will require

d. To bestow (a gift) on a person. c1590 J. Stewart 220 § 83.
Gratious gifts scho [sc. Veritie] on my person spaird

9. To refrain from the use of. Cf. 4 above. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 274.
A! lord, sparis of sic speche, quhill ye speir more

10. intr. To let up, desist from an action, process, etc. (on account of (for) a reason.). c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1734.
The schippes, that scaled wor, Draif in one heipe, dyngand on vthir, Nouthir sparand for schip nor ruthire c1420 Wynt. vii 2771.
For cost for-thi he sparyd noucht, Na for trawell a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 92.
Fra thai [sc. girls] be passit sevin ȝeir and mair Natur spryngis and will nocht spair c1475 Wall. ix 1540.
He ordand Jop … to pas, and for no costis spayr, Bot honour do the corp till sepultur a1500 Seven S. 717.
[He] studyet how he suld gar him de And nother spair for syn nor schame 1540 Lynd. Sat. 52.
Sie the burgessis spair not for expence 1540 Lynd. Sat. 411.
Wee sall nether spair for wind nor raine Till our days wark be done 1548–9 Corr. M. Lorraine 295.
Tha well nocht spair noder for cost nor travell to haf this plas 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4510.
Within few dayis the feist was preparit Aboundantlie and for na coist thay sparit a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 370 (Wr.).
Quoth Courage … He is but daft that hath to doe, And spares for everie speach