来自古英语 sparian,匀出，赦免，免于伤害，来自 Proto-Germanic*sparona,保存，节省，留出， 来自 PIE*sper,挣取，节省，使多产，来自 PIE*spe,繁盛，繁荣，词源同 speed,prosper.引申古 英语形容词 spaer,节省的，节俭的，及诸相关词义。

1. In her spare time she read books on cooking.

业余时间里她看一些烹饪方面的书籍。

2. He spends his spare time visiting schools to warn pupils off drugs.

他用自己的业余时间访问学校，告诫小学生远离毒品。

3. She was thin and spare, with a sharply intelligent face.

她又高又瘦，一副精明过人的模样。

4. They've never had anything spare — they've always used it all.

他们从没有任何备用的东西——他们总是把什么都用得一干二净。

5. In the future the machines will need spare parts and maintenance.

这些机器将来会需要备件和维修保养。