n.
Pronunciation: ' spär
Function: 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