adv. [f. SPARE a. Cf. OE. spærlíce, MDu. spare-, spaerlike, MLG. sparlike, OHG. sparalîhho (MHG. sperlîche, G. spärlich), ON. sparliga (MSw. sparlika).]

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  1.  In a sparing, frugal or stinted manner; not fully, amply or copiously.

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1559.  Decl. Doctr., in Strype, Ann. Ref. (1709), I. viii. 118. Indeed we do think that Discreet Ministers will speak sparely and circumspectly of them.

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1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. xxxvii. 25. By their lyving sparely, they have alwais enough.

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1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 98. It is drunke vp, and therefore floweth more sparely.

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1637.  Milton, Lycidas, 138. Ye valleys low … On whose fresh lap the swart Star sparely looks.

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1784.  Cowper, Task, IV. 379. They … find at eve, Ill clad and fed but sparely, time to cool.

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1840.  Hood, Kilmansegg, Honeymoon, xxx. He drank—the reverse of sparely.

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1867.  A. Barry, Sir C. Barry, iv. 101. Ornament is sparely applied.

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  2.  Thinly; sparsely.

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1836.  [Jas. Grant], Recoll. Ho. of Lords, viii. 153. He is thin and sparely made, with a sallow complexion.

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1841.  C. Mackay, Longbeard, ii. His hair … hung sparely over his temples.

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