sparable

sparable (comparative more sparable, superlative most sparable)

1. Alternative form of spareable

From sparrowbill, in reference to its shape, like a sparrow's beak.

sparable (plural sparables)

1. A small headless nail used in making shoes (especially the heels).
   • 1828, JT Smith, Nollekens and His Times, Century Hutchinson, published 1986, page 183:

     [H]e was sometimes seen disputing with the cobbler, his opposite neighbour, about the charge of two-pence; and refusing to pay Crispin's demand, unless he put three or four more sparables in the heels of the shoes which he had mended twice before!

• parables, parsable, prebasal