spar

• Nom commun avec plusieurs sens : il peut désigner un minéral non métallique clair, transparent ou translucide, comme la calcite ou le feldspath ; un mât ou une barre arrondie et solide en bois ou en métal servant à soutenir le gréement d'un navire ; ou la pratique consistant à exécuter des mouvements d'attaque et de défense avec les poings et les bras lors de l'entraînement d'un boxeur.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a light-colored, transparent or translucent nonmetallic mineral such as calcite or feldspar; a stout, rounded pole of wood or metal used to support rigging on a ship; or the practice of making motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms as part of a boxer's training.

1. C1formalscientific

   Any of various nonmetallic minerals, such as calcite or feldspar, that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable.

   Spat

   • The geologist identified the rock as a type of spar.
   • Iceland spar is a transparent variety of calcite.
   • Feldspar is a common spar found in granite.

2. Ship's poleB2formal

   A stout rounded pole of wood or metal used to support rigging on a ship.

   Mât de charge / espar (marine)

   • The sailor climbed the main spar to adjust the sail.
   • The ship's mast was made from a single, strong spar.
   • A broken spar can cripple a sailing vessel.

   Synonymesboomgaffmastpoleyard

3. Boxing practiceB1informalsport

   Making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer.

   Séance d'entraînement de boxe (assaut)

   • The boxer did a light spar with his trainer.
   • Sparring helps improve your reflexes and footwork.
   • He got a black eye during a spar in the gym.

   Synonymesboutsparringsparring match

• Verbe désignant le fait de s'entraîner à la boxe dans un combat d'exercice, ou plus largement de participer à une dispute verbale ou une discussion animée.

A verb used to indicate the act of engaging in a practice boxing match or, more broadly, engaging in a verbal argument or dispute.

1. Box lightlyB2formalsport

   To engage in a practice or exhibition boxing match, typically without full force.

   Boxer léger (entraînement)

   • The boxers sparred in the gym to prepare for the championship.
   • He likes to spar with his trainer to improve his footwork.
   • They sparred for three rounds before taking a break.

   Synonymesbox

2. Fight verballyB2informal

   To engage in a heated or playful argument or debate.

   Se quereller verbalement

   • The politicians sparred over the new tax policy.
   • They often spar verbally about their favorite sports teams.
   • The two friends sparred good-naturedly about the movie's ending.

   Synonymesarguebickerdebatedisputequarrelwrangle

   Antonymesaccordagreeconcedeconcur

3. Fight with spursC1formal

   (Of a rooster) to fight using its spurs.

   se battre avec les ergots

   • The roosters sparred in the yard, their spurs flashing.
   • In cockfighting, the birds spar with sharp spurs attached to their legs.

4. Furnish with sparsC1formal

   To provide a ship or structure with spars (strong poles used for masts or rigging).

   Gréer de mâts et espars

   • The shipyard workers sparred the new vessel with sturdy masts.
   • They sparred the old schooner to prepare it for the voyage.