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spa·dix noun, plural spa·di·ces : a floral spike with a fleshy or succulent axis usu. enclosed in a spathe

spa·ghet·ti noun [ORIGIN: It, fr. pl. of spaghetto, dim. of spago cord, string]

: thin solid pasta strings

spam noun : unsolicited usu. commercial e-mail sent to a large number of addresses

— spam verb

1span noun 1 : an English unit of length equal to nine inches (about 23 centimeters)

2 : a limited portion of time

3 : the spread (as of an arch) from one support to another

2span verb spanned; span·ning 1 : to ascertain the measurements of : MEASURE

2 : to extend across

Synonyms

gauge, measure, scale—more at MEASURE

3span noun : a pair of animals (as mules) driven together

Span abbreviation Spanish

span·dex noun : any of various elastic synthetic textile fibers

span·gle noun : a small disk of shining metal or plastic used esp. on a dress for ornament

— spangle verb

Span·glish noun : a combination of Spanish and English

Span·iard noun : a native or inhabitant of Spain

span·iel noun [ORIGIN: ME spaniell, fr. MF espaignol, lit., Spaniard]

: a dog of any of several breeds of mostly small and short-legged dogs usu. with long wavy hair and large drooping ears

Span·ish noun 1 : the chief language of Spain and of the countries colonized by the Spanish

2 Spanish plural : the people of Spain

— Spanish adjective

Spanish American noun : a resident of the U.S. whose native language is Spanish; also : a native or inhabitant of one of the countries of America in which Spanish is the national language

— Spanish–American adjective

Spanish fly noun : a toxic preparation of dried green European beetles that causes the skin to blister and is thought to be an aphrodisiac

Spanish moss noun : a plant related to the pineapple that grows in pendent tufts of grayish green filaments on trees from the southern U.S. to Argentina

Spanish rice noun : rice cooked with onions, green peppers, and tomatoes

1spank verb : to hit on the buttocks with the open hand

— spank noun

2spank noun : a blow usu. with the palm of the hand

spank·ing adjective : being fresh and strong : BRISK <~ breeze>

— spanking adverb

span·ner noun, chiefly British : WRENCH

1spar noun 1 : a stout pole

2 : a rounded wood or metal piece (as a mast, yard, boom, or gaff) for supporting sail rigging

2spar verb sparred; spar·ring : to box for practice without serious hitting; also : SKIRMISH, WRANGLE

1spare verb spared; spar·ing 1 : to refrain from punishing or injuring : show mercy to

2 : to exempt from something <~ me the trouble>

3 : to get along without

4 : to use frugally or rarely

Synonyms

scant, skimp, stint; also dole (out), mete (out), portion (out), ration (out); pinch, shortchange

2spare adjective spar·er; spar·est 1 : held in reserve

2 : being over and above what is needed : SUPERFLUOUS

3 : not liberal or profuse

4 : healthily lean : THIN

5 : not abundant or plentiful : SCANTY

— spare·ness noun

Synonyms

[2] excess, extra, superfluous, supernumerary, surplus; also accessory, additional, supplemental, supplementary; dispensable, extraneous, gratuitous, needless, nonessential, unessential, unwanted

[3] cheap, close, mean, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, stingy, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable—more at STINGY

[4] lean, skinny, slender, slim, thin—more at THIN

3spare noun 1 : a duplicate kept in reserve; especially : a spare tire

2 : the knocking down of all the bowling pins with the first two balls

Synonyms

backup, duplicate, extra, reserve, substitute; also stock; copy, double, replacement

spar·ing adjective : marked by or practicing careful restraint : FRUGAL

— spar·ing·ly adverb

Synonyms

economical, frugal, provident, thrifty—more at FRUGAL

1spark noun 1 : a small particle of a burning substance or a hot glowing particle