spar

[[t]spɑ͟ː(r)[/t]]

spars, sparring, sparred

1) V-RECIP If you spar with someone, you box using fairly gentle blows instead of hitting your opponent hard, either when you are training or when you want to test how quickly your opponent reacts.

[V with n] He entered the ring to spar a few one-minute rounds with an old friend...

[pl-n V] They sparred for a moment, on the brink of a full fist-fight.

2) V-RECIP If you spar with someone, you argue with them but not in an aggressive or serious way.

[V with n] Over the years he sparred with his friend Jesse Jackson over political tactics...

[pl-n V] Morisot and Manet had always gotten along, even when they sparred.

3) N-COUNT A spar is a strong pole, especially one that a sail is attached to on a sailing ship.

The mast, which was a solid spruce spar, bent like a bow, and for a moment I thought we were going to lose it.