Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Spruce \Spruce\, a. [Compar. {Sprucer}; superl. {Sprucest}]
   [Perhaps fr. spruce a sort of leather from Prussia, which was
   an article of finery. See {Spruce}, n.]
   1. Neat, without elegance or dignity; -- formerly applied to
      things with a serious meaning; now chiefly applied to
      persons. ``Neat and spruce array.'' --Remedy of Love.

   2. Sprightly; dashing. [Obs.] ``Now, my spruce companions.''
      --Shak.

            He is so spruce that he can never be genteel.
                                                  --Tatler.

   Syn: Finical; neat; trim. See {Finical}. -- {Sruce"ly}, adv.
        -- {Spruce"ness}, n.