curb vs spare

curb

noun
  • Something that checks or restrains; a restraint. 

  • A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness. 

  • A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand) 

  • A riding or driving bit for a horse that has rein action which amplifies the pressure in the mouth by leverage advantage placing pressure on the poll via the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove via a curb chain. 

  • A sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers. 

  • A raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening. 

verb
  • To rein in. 

  • To bend or curve. 

  • To furnish with a curb, as a well; to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth. 

  • To crouch; to cringe. 

  • To damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb. 

  • To check, restrain or control. 

  • To bring to a stop beside a curb. 

spare

noun
  • The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. 

  • Parsimony; frugal use. 

  • An opening in a petticoat or gown; a placket. 

  • A superfluous or second-best person. 

  • The right of bowling again at a full set of pins, after having knocked all the pins down in less than three bowls. If all the pins are knocked down in one bowl it is a double spare; in two bowls, a single spare. 

  • assistant or extra hand (typically on buses and lorries) 

  • A free period; a block of school during which one does not have a class. 

  • A spare part, especially a spare tire. 

  • The act of knocking down all remaining pins in second ball of a frame; this entitles the pins knocked down on the next ball to be added to the score for that frame. 

  • That which has not been used or expended. 

verb
  • To keep to oneself; to forbear to impart or give. 

  • To save or gain, as by frugality; to reserve, as from some occupation, use, or duty. 

  • To preserve (someone) from danger or punishment; to forbear to punish, injure, or harm (someone); to show mercy towards. 

  • (to give up): To deprive oneself of, as by being frugal; to do without; to dispense with; to give up; to part with. 

  • To refrain from killing (someone) or having (someone) killed. 

  • To refrain from inflicting harm; to use mercy or forbearance. 

  • To be frugal; to not be profuse; to live frugally; to be parsimonious. 

  • To desist; to stop; to refrain. 

adj
  • Not occupied or in current use. 

  • Very angry; frustrated or distraught. 

  • Scant; not abundant or plentiful. 

  • Being more than what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous. 

  • Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; not spending much money. 

  • Lean; lacking flesh; meager; thin; gaunt. 

  • Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency. 

How often have the words curb and spare occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )