unˈsparing, ppl. a.
[un-1 10.]
1. Showing no forbearance or mercy.
| a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iii. vii, The pittilesse launce..(angry with being broken)..full of unsparing splinters, lighted upon that face. 1599 Daniel Musoph. 323 No, no, vnsparing Time will prowdly send A warrant unto Wrath. 1649 Milton Eikon. Pref. C, The unsparing Sword of Justice. 1770 Glover Leonidas (ed. 5) vi. 166 Unsparing Mars Heap'd carnage round thee. 1781 Cowper Lett. 2 Apr., Men of a rough and unsparing address. 1818 Mitford Hist. Greece V. 155 Unsparing of himself, he seems however to have been strongly disposed to be considerate of others. 1844 Kinglake Eothen viii, Cool, decisive in manner, unsparing of enemies. 1869 H. F. Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 244 His unsparing, merciless character,..never diverted from its fell purpose. |
2. Not niggardly; liberal, lavish.
| 1667 Milton P.L. v. 344 Fruit of all kindes..She gathers,..and on the board Heaps with unsparing hand. 1736 Thomson Liberty v. 584 Unsparing love Their endless treasure, and their deeds their praise. 1781 Cowper Expost. 677 Gratitude and temp'rance in our use Of what he gives, unsparing and profuse. 1819 Shelley Cyclops 167 See, here are sheep,..Here are unsparing cheeses of pressed milk. 1856 N. Brit. Rev. XXVI. 23 The four or five ideas..are..turned over and over again with so unsparing a profuseness, that [etc.]. |
Hence unˈsparingness.
| 1818 Mitford Hist. Greece V. 426 His extraordinary..successes, but especially his profuse unsparingness of himself,..had [etc.]. |