spareness
(ˈspɛənɪs)
[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. |