sprucer

1 definition found

sprucer - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Spruce \Spruce\ (spr[udd]s), a. [Compar. Sprucer
     (spr[udd]"s[~e]r); superl. Sprucest (spr[udd]"s[e^]st).]
     [Perhaps fr. spruce a sort of leather from Prussia, which was
     an article of finery. See Spruce, n.]
     1. Neat, without elegance or dignity; smart; trim; --
        formerly applied to things with a serious meaning; now
        chiefly applied to persons. "Neat and spruce array."
        --Remedy of Love.
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     2. Sprightly; dashing. [Obs.] "Now, my spruce companions."
        --Shak.
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              He is so spruce that he can never be genteel.
                                                    --Tatler.
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     Syn: Finical; neat; trim. See Finical.
          [1913 Webster] -- Spruce"ly, adv. -- Spruce"ness, n.
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