1. Sennett

    Sennett New Member

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    Meaning of 'spars'

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Sennett, Jul 28, 2016.

    A little out of place on this site, but I have an account here, so...
    Question: I found this sentence in a book and wondered what 'spars' means here.

    To my left and back, sparse piney woods.

    Context: the narrator is describing her surroundings.

    Could it be a typo? Suggestions on the meaning or alternative?
     
  2. OurJud

    OurJud Contributor Contributor

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    Well, firstly you've spelt them differently in your question and in the line taken from the book.

    'Sparse' (pronounced like the English 'Arse') means bare, not thick or dense.

    'Spar' means to practice boxing. 'Spars' (with an S) doesn't really mean anything I don't think, other than being the plural of 'spar', as in "Tom is a boxer and he spars down at the gym.". Even then I think this is probably poor English.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2016
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  3. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    Sparse: thinly scattered or distributed.

    Dictionary.com is your friend! ;)
     
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  4. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

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    I agree on sparse, and would add that spars are supports used in sailing and, I think, aeronautics.
     
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  5. tonguetied

    tonguetied Contributor Contributor

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    In a heavy southern accent it (spars) might mean spares.
     
  6. OurJud

    OurJud Contributor Contributor

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    But the spelling is 'sparse', as confirmed by the context of the sentence.
     
  7. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

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    Yup. We're just playing with words. Words are fun!
     
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