sparse 1336
sparse /spa:s||spars/ adj with only a few scattered examples in a large area; not growing or existing in large amounts or quantities: The sparse vegetation will only feed a small population of animals. | Our information on the events is still rather sparse. —ly adv: The room was very sparsely furnished, with just a bed and a chair. | a sparsely populated area —ness n [U]
Spar•ta /'spa:tə||'spar-/ a city of ancient Greece which was famous for the bravery and skill of its soldiers, and for the simple way in which its people lived without any comforts —Spartan n
Spar•ta•cus /'spa:təkəs||'sparr-/ (died 71 BC) a Roman GLADIATOR (=a man who fought against other men or wild animals to entertain people), who led a large army of SLAVES in a REVOLT against their Roman owners. Eventually they were defeated by Roman armies, and many of them were killed by being crucified (CRUCIFY). His story is told in the film *Spartacus* (1960).
spar•tan /'spa:tən||-aɪr-/ adj simple, severe, and without attention to comfort: *spartan living conditions* | *a spartan attitude to life*
spas•m /'spæzəm/ n 1 a sudden uncontrolled tightening of muscles: a *muscle spasm* | If breathing is not restored, the patient may go into spasm. 2 [off] a sudden violent effort, feeling, or act: *spasms of grief/laughter/coughing*
spas•mod•ic /spæz'mɒdɪk||-'ma:-/ adj 1 not continuous; showing short periods of activity; irregular: *His interest in his schoolwork is rather spasmodic.* | *spasmodic bursts of energy* → compare PERIODIC 2 of or like a spasm: a *spasmodic jerk* —ally /kli/ adv
spas•tic /'spæstɪk/ n, adj 1 (a person) suffering from a condition (*spastic paralysis*) in which some parts of the body will not move because the muscles stay tightened 2 derog slang (used especially by children) (a person who is) foolish, lacking in skill etc
spat¹ /spæt/ past tense & participle of SPIT
spat² n [usually pl.] a cloth covering for the ankle worn, especially formerly, by men above a shoe, fastened by side buttons and a band under the shoe
spat³ n *infml* a short unimportant quarrel
spate /spert/ n [S+of] 1 especially BrE a large number or amount, especially of events of the same kind, coming together in time: *There's been a spate of accidents on this stretch of road recently.* | *the recent spate of terrorist activity* 2 especially AmE a large amount of words, feelings etc being expressed at once: a *spate of foul language* 3 in spate flooding; full of rushing water: a *river in full spate*
spa•tial /'speɪʃəl/ adj tech or fml of or connected with SPACE: *This part of the brain judges the spatial relationships between objects.* —ly adv
spat•ter¹ /'spætə/ v 1 [T] to scatter (drops of a liquid) on (a surface); [+obj+prep] *As the car raced past, it spattered mud on my clothes/in my face/all over my suit.* | [+obj+with] *The car spattered me/my clothes with mud.* | a *blood-spattered wall* 2 [I(on)] (of a liquid) to fall or be thrown off in drops onto a surface: *A little of the hot cooking oil spattered on the wall.*
spatter² n 1 a spattered drop or spot 2 [C usually sing.] a small amount: a *spatter of rain*
spat•u•la /'spætʃʊlə,ɪ-tʃələ/ n 1 any of various tools with a wide flat not very sharp blade, used especially in the kitchen for spreading, mixing, or lifting soft substances 2 BrE a small tool with a flat blade used by doctors to flatten the tongue when examining the throat → compare TONGUE DEPRESSOR
spawn¹ /spɔ:n/ v 1 [I;T] (of water animals like fishes and FROGS) to lay (eggs) in large quantities together 2 [T] *infml* to bring into existence, especially in large numbers: *The computer industry has spawned a lot of new companies.*
spawn² n [U] the eggs of water animals like fishes and FROGS laid together in a soft mass → see also FROGSPAWN
spay /speɪ/ v [T] to remove (part of) the sex organs of (a female animal): *Have you had your cat spayed?*
SPCK /ˌes pi: si: 'keɪ/ abbrev. for Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; a British organization which produces and sells Christian books in order to teach people more about Christianity
-speak → see WORD FORMATION TABLE
speak /spi:k/ v spoke /spəʊk/, spoken /'spəʊkən/ 1 [I(to, with, about)] to express thoughts aloud, using the voice; talk: *I was so shocked I couldn't speak.* | *They sat down opposite each other, but it was some moments before they spoke.* (=had a conversation) | *I'd like to speak to/with you about my idea.* | *Is that the man you spoke of?* (=told me about) | *After their quarrel they're still not speaking (to each other)/not on speaking terms.* (=willing to talk and be polite to each other) | *Speaking (in my capacity) as chairman, I am in favour of this idea.* → see USAGE 2 [I;T] to express or say: *Do you think he was speaking the truth?* | *Not a word was spoken about the embarrassing affair.* | *I'd like to meet his daughter, everyone speaks very well/highly of her.* (=praises her) | *You mustn't speak ill of* (=say unkind things about) *the dead.* 3 [T] to be able to talk in (a language): *Do you speak English?* | *English is spoken here.* | *We need a French-speaking secretary.* 4 [I(to, about, on)] to make a speech: *I've invited her to speak to the club on/about her experiences in Central America.* | *He spoke in favour of/against the motion.* → see also SPEAKER 5 [I(of)] to express thoughts, ideas etc, in some other way than by talking: *Actions speak louder than words.* | *Everything