sparset (spars)

t. [OF. esparser, esparcer, a. scatter. IMG:content-1645.png:[blocks in formation] I. a. 1. Of pertaining to Sparta Lacedæ mon, the capital of Laconia, or the ancient kingdom of Sparta or Lacedæmon (Laconia), in the Peloponnesus; Lacedæmonian; specifically, belonging to the branch of the ancient Dorian race dominant in Laconia.-2. Noting characteristics distinctive of, or considered as distinctive of, the ancient Spartans. Lycurgus sent the Poet Thales from Creet to prepare and mollifie the Spartan surline e with his smooth songs and odes, the better to plant among them law and civility. Milton , Areopagitica. Spartan dog, a bloodhound; hence, a cruel or bloodthirsty person. O Spartan dog , More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea! Shak., Othello, v. 2. 361. II. n. A native or an inhabitant of Sparta or Laconia; a Lacedæmonian; specifically (as opposed to Lacedæmonian in a narrower sense), a member of that branch of the ancient Dorian race which conquered Laconia and established the kingdom of Sparta, celebrated for its military succe and prestige, due to the rigid discipline enforced upon all Spartans from early childhood; a Spartiate. Spartan ism (spär'tan-izm), n. [ tans. See Spartan. sparteine (spär'tē-in), n. [ fiber, as mats, nets, cordage, and ropes. spart-gra (spärt'grås), n. Same as spart, 2; also, a cord-gra , Spartina strict a. Britten and Holland, Eng. Plant Names. spartht, n. [ He hath a sparth of twenti pound of wighte. Chaucer, Knight's Tale, 1. 1662. At his saddle-gerthe was a good steel sperthe , Full ten pound weight and more. Scott , Eve of St. John.