a. Obs. Also sparie. [f. SPARE v.1 Cf. MDu. and MLG. sparich, MHG. sperig (obs. G. spärig, sparig).] = SPARING ppl. a. in various senses.
Peculiar to Holland, and frequent in his works.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 25. Very scant and sparie of seed. Ibid., 387. They wil indure so a long time,… with abstinence and spary feeding. Ibid. (1606), Sueton., 158. But in honouring himselfe he was sparie and caried a civile modestie. Ibid. (1632), Cyrupædia, 4. They instruct them to bee spary in their meals and drinks.
