Sentence:  Energy has seldom been found where we need it when we want it. Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then <WSD>spend time</WSD> and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To dedicate time to an activity.