An argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage.

Any of various nonmetallic minerals (calcite or feldspar) that are light in color and transparent or translucent and cleavable.

Roget 214: pendency^†, dependency; suspension, hanging etc. v.; pedicel, pedicle, peduncle; tail, train, flap, skirt, pigtail, pony tail, pendulum; hangnail peg, knob, button, hook, nail, stud, ring, staple, tenterhook; fastening etc. 45; spar, horse.    ... show more

Dutch: holspaat, spaat

A stout rounded pole of wood or metal used to support rigging.

Dutch: rondhout
Polish: drzewce

Making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer.

synonym: sparring.

Roget 720: contention, strife; contest, contestation^†; struggle; belligerency; opposition etc. 708.    controversy, polemics; debate etc. (discussion) 476; war of words, logomachy^†, litigation; paper war; high words etc. (quarrel) 713; sparring etc. v.. competition, rivalry; corrivalry^†, corrivalship^†, agonism^†, concours^†, match, race, horse racing, heat, steeple chase, handicap; regatta; field day; sham fight, Derby day; turf, sporting, bullfight, tauromachy^†, gymkhana^†; boat race, torpids^†.    wrestling, greco-roman wrestling; pugilism, boxing, fisticuffs, the manly art of self-defense; spar, mill, set-to, round, bout, event, prize fighting; quarterstaff, single stick; gladiatorship^†, gymnastics; jiujitsu, jujutsu, kooshti^†, sumo; athletics, athletic sports; games of skill etc. 840.    shindy^†; fracas etc. (discord) 713; clash of arms; tussle, scuffle, broil, fray; affray, affrayment^†; velitation^†; colluctation^†, luctation^†; brabble^†, brigue^†, scramble, melee, scrimmage, stramash^†, bushfighting^†.    free fight, stand up fight, hand to hand, running fight.    conflict, skirmish; rencounter^†, encounter; rencontre^†, collision, affair, brush, fight; battle, battle royal; combat, action, engagement, joust, tournament; tilt, tilting [Mediev.]; tournay^†, list; pitched battle.    death struggle, struggle for life or death, life or death struggle, Armageddon^†.    hard knocks, sharp contest, tug of war.    naval engagement, naumachia^†, sea fight.    duel, duello [It]; single combat, monomachy^†, satisfaction, passage d'armes [Fr.], passage of arms, affair of honor; triangular duel; hostile meeting, digladiation^†; deeds of arms, feats of arms; appeal to arms etc. (warfare) 722.    pugnacity; combativeness etc. adj.; bone of contention etc. 713.    ... show more

Furnish with spars.

Roget 713: be discordant etc. adj.; disagree, come amiss etc. 24; clash, jar, jostle, pull different ways, conflict, have no measures with, misunderstand one another; live like cat and dog; differ; dissent etc. 489; have a bone to pick, have a crow to pluck with.    fall out, quarrel, dispute; litigate; controvert etc. (deny) 536; squabble, wrangle, jangle, brangle^†, bicker, nag; spar etc. (contend) 720; have words etc. n.. with; fall foul of.    split; break with, break squares with, part company with; declare war, try conclusions; join issue, put in issue; pick a quarrel, fasten a quarrel on; sow dissension, stir up dissension etc. n.; embroil, entangle, disunite, widen the breach; set at odds, set together by the ears; set against, pit against.    get into hot water, fish in troubled waters, brawl; kick up a row, kick up a dust; turn the house out of window.    ... show more

Roget 720: contend; contest, strive, struggle, scramble, wrestle; spar, square; exchange blows, exchange fisticuffs; fib^†, justle^†, tussle, tilt, box, stave, fence; skirmish; pickeer^†; fight etc. (war) 722; wrangle etc. (quarrel) 713.    contend with &c., grapple with, engage with, close with, buckle with, bandy with, try conclusions with, have a brush etc. n.. with, tilt with; encounter, fall foul of, pitch into, clapperclaw^†, run a tilt at; oppose etc. 708; reluct.    join issue, come to blows, go to loggerheads, set to, come to the scratch, exchange shots, measure swords, meet hand to hand; take up the cudgels, take up the glove, take up the gauntlet; enter the lists; couch one's lance; give satisfaction; appeal to arms; etc. (warfare) 722.    lay about one; break the peace.    compete with, cope with, vie with, race with; outvie^†, emulate, rival; run a race; contend for &c., stipulate for, stickle for; insist upon, make a point of.    ... show more

Fight with spurs.

Box lightly.

Fight verbally.