a. and adv. [f. as prec.]
† 1. Unstinted, unlimited. Obs.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 5467. Sum spends on him of sponges a sparles nounbre.
2. Unsparing, merciless.
1589. Rare Triumphes Loue & Fortune, I. in J. P. Collier, Five O. Pl. (Roxb.), 87. What I have promist doubt not to be perfourmed; The sparelesse destinies my will affoorde: Let this defend thee, like a trusty swoord.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iii. II. Fathers, 140. Alas! I could not but even dye for griefe, Should I but yeeld mine Age’s sweet reliefe … Into the hands of hang-men’s spare-lesse spight.
1826. R. S. Hawker, Cornish Ball., etc. (1904), 220. Thy spareless foe Bears the fell shaft and fatal blow.
a. 1851. Moir, Unknown Grave, vi. Poet. Wks. 1852, II. 346. When all the friends that bless’d his prime, Were vanish’d like a morning dream; Pluck’d one by one by spareless Time.
3. As adv. Without stint.
1567. Painter, Pal. Pleas., II. 427. With a fashion of attire to garnish their inward parts, so well as (sparelesse) they imploy vpon the vanishing pompe.
