- I. noun Etymology: Middle English sparre; akin to Old English spere spear — more at spear Date: 14th century 1. a stout pole 2. a. a stout rounded usually wood or metal piece (as a mast, boom, gaff, or yard) used to support rigging b. any of the main longitudinal members of the wing of an airplane that carry the ribs II. intransitive verb (sparred; sparring) Etymology: Middle English sparren to dart, spring Date: 1537 1. a. box; especially to gesture without landing a blow to draw one's opponent or create an opening b. to engage in a practice or exhibition bout of boxing 2. skirmish, wrangle 3. to strike or fight with feet or spurs in the manner of a gamecock III. noun Date: 1814 1. a movement of offense or defense in boxing 2. a sparring match or session IV. noun Etymology: Low German; akin to Old English spærstān gypsum, spæren of plaster Date: 1581 any of various nonmetallic usually cleavable and lustrous minerals
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.