[ noun ] English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903) <noun.person>
Spencer \Spen"cer\, n. [OF. despensier. See {Spence}, and cf. {Dispenser}.] One who has the care of the spence, or buttery. [Obs.] --Promptorium Parvulorum.
Spencer \Spen"cer\, n. [From the third Earl Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion.] A short jacket worn by men and by women. --Ld. Lutton.
Spencer \Spen"cer\, n. (Naut.) A fore-and-aft sail, abaft the foremast or the mainmast, hoisted upon a small supplementary mast and set with a gaff and no boom; a trysail carried at the foremast or mainmast; -- named after its inventor, Knight Spencer, of England [1802].
{Spencer mast}, a small mast just abaft the foremast or mainmast, for hoisting the spencer. --R. H. Dana, Jr.
Trysail \Try"sail\, n. (Naut.) A fore-and-aft sail, bent to a gaff, and hoisted on a lower mast or on a small mast, called the trysail mast, close abaft a lower mast; -- used chiefly as a storm sail. Called also {spencer}. --Totten.
His new high fashion collection is young and elegant, with a myriad of prim little sheaths, small spencer jackets and demure chiffon gowns.