[f. SPARE a. Cf. OE. spærnes frugality, etc.] The quality of being spare, in various senses of the adj.
1648. Hexham, II. Magerheydt, Leanenesse, or Sparenesse.
1649. Hammond, Chr. Obligations, 36. Returning the grosse habit of sin to a sparenesse and slendernesse of stature.
1822. Galt, Provost, viii. 55. He was, notwithstanding the spareness of his abilities, a prideful creature.
1826. Hood, Recipe for Civilization, 142. She saw the spareness of her habits.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., IV. 608. After the age of forty years persons either diverge into spareness or become more or less obese.
