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6 VERB A bridge or other structure that spans something such as a river or a valley stretches right across it. □ [V n] Travellers cross a footbridge that spans a little stream.

7 → see also spick and span

span|gle /spæ ŋg ^ə l/ (spangles ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Spangles are small pieces of shiny metal or plastic which are used to decorate clothing or hair. □  …robes that glittered with spangles.

span|gled /spæ ŋg ^ə ld/ ADJ Something that is spangled is covered with small shiny objects. □  …spangled, backless dresses.

span|gly /spæ ŋgli/ ADJ Spangly clothes are decorated with a lot of small shiny objects. □  He certainly liked spangly jackets.

Span|iard /spæ njə ^r d/ (Spaniards ) N‑COUNT A Spaniard is a Spanish citizen, or a person of Spanish origin.

span|iel /spæ njəl/ (spaniels ) N‑COUNT A spaniel is a type of dog with long ears that hang down.

Span|ish /spæ n I ʃ/

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Spanish means belonging or relating to Spain, or to its people, language, or culture. □  …a Spanish sherry. □  …the Spanish Ambassador.

2 N‑PLURAL The Spanish are the people of Spain.

3 N‑UNCOUNT Spanish is the main language spoken in Spain, and in many countries in South and Central America.

spank /spæ ŋk/ (spanks , spanking , spanked ) VERB If someone spanks a child, they punish them by hitting them on the bottom several times with their hand. □ [V n] When I used to do that when I was a kid, my mom would spank me.

spank|ing /spæ ŋk I ŋ/ (spankings )

1 N‑COUNT If someone gives a child a spanking , they punish them by hitting them on the bottom several times with their hand. □  Andrea gave her son a sound spanking.

2 ADV [ADV adj] If you describe something as spanking new, spanking clean, or spanking white, you mean that it is very new, very clean, or very white. [INFORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □  …a spanking new Mercedes.

span|ner /spæ nə ^r / (spanners )

1 N‑COUNT A spanner is a metal tool whose end fits round a nut so that you can turn it to loosen or tighten it. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use wrench , monkey wrench

2 PHRASE If someone throws a spanner in the works , they prevent something happening smoothly in the way that it was planned, by causing a problem or difficulty. [BRIT ] □  A bad result is sure to throw a spanner in the works. in AM, use throw a wrench , throw a monkey wrench

spar /spɑː ^r / (spars , sparring , sparred )

1 VERB If you spar with someone, you box using fairly gentle blows instead of hitting your opponent hard, either when you are training or when you want to test how quickly your opponent reacts. □ [V + with ] With protective gear on you can spar with a partner. □ [V ] They sparred for a moment, on the brink of a full fight.

2 VERB If you spar with someone, you argue with them but not in an aggressive or serious way. □ [V + with ] Over the years he sparred with his friend over political tactics. □ [V ] They had always gotten along, even when they sparred.

spare ◆◇◇ /speə ^r / (spares , sparing , spared )

1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use spare to describe something that is the same as things that you are already using, but that you do not need yet and are keeping ready in case another one is needed. □  Don't forget to take a few spare batteries. □  He could have taken a spare key. □  The wagons carried spare ammunition. ● N‑COUNT Spare is also a noun. □  Give me the trunk key and I'll get the spare.

2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use spare to describe something that is not being used by anyone, and is therefore available for someone to use. □  The spare bedroom is on the second floor. □  There was hardly a spare inch of space to be found.