sparring

SPAR also Spar  (spär)

n.

A member of the women's reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard, disbanded as a separate unit in 1946.

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[Contraction of Latin semper partus, always prepared, the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard : semper, always + partus, prepared.]

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spar ¹  (spär)

n.

1. Nautical A wooden or metal pole, such as a boom, yard, or bowsprit, used to support sails and rigging.

2. A usually metal pole used as part of a crane or derrick.

3. A main structural member in an airplane wing or a tail assembly that runs from tip to tip or from root to tip.

tr.v. sparred, spar·ring, spars

1. To supply with spars.

2. Archaic To fasten with a bolt.

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[Middle English sparre, rafter.]

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spar ²  (spär)

intr.v. sparred, spar·ring, spars

1.

a. To fight with an opponent in a short bout or practice session, as in boxing or the martial arts.

b. To make boxing or fighting motions without hitting one's opponent.

2. To bandy words about in argument; dispute.

3. To fight by striking with the feet and spurs. Used of gamecocks.

n.

1. A motion of attack or defense in boxing.

2. A sparring match.

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[Middle English sparren, to thrust or strike rapidly, perhaps from obsolete French esparer, to kick, from Old Italian sparare, to fling : s-, intensive pref.; see sforzando + parare, to ward off; see parry.]

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spar ³  (spär)

n.

A nonmetallic, readily cleavable, translucent or transparent light-colored mineral with a shiny luster, such as feldspar.

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[Low German, from Middle Low German.]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	sparring - an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage contestation, controversy, disceptation, arguing, argument, contention, disputation, tilt - a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"
	2.	sparring - making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer spar boxing, pugilism, fisticuffs - fighting with the fists

Translations

sparring:

sparring match

n (lit) → Sparringkampf m; (fig) → (Wort)geplänkel nt, → Wortgefecht nt

sparring partner

n (lit) → Sparringpartner(in) m(f); (fig also) → Kontrahent(in) m(f)