spark

¹

[spahrk]

noun

1. an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.

2. Also called sparkover. Electricity.

   1. the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.

   2. the discharge itself.

   3. any electric arc of relatively small energy content.

   4. the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.

3. anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.

4. a small amount or trace of something.

   Synonyms: flicker, bit, jot

5. a trace of life or vitality.

6. (used with a singular verb),  sparks, a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.

7. (usually initial capital letter),  a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.

verb (used without object)

1. to emit or produce sparks.

2. to issue as or like sparks.

3. to send forth gleams or flashes.

4. (of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.

verb (used with object)

1. to kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.).

   These bright students have sparked her enthusiasm for teaching. The arrival of the piano player really sparked the party.

spark

²

[spahrk]

noun

1. an elegant or foppish young man.

2. a beau, lover, or suitor.

3. a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.

verb (used with object)

1. to woo; court.

verb (used without object)

1. to engage in courtship; woo.

Spark

³

[spahrk]

noun

1. Muriel (Sarah) (Camberg), 1918–2006, British novelist and writer, born in Scotland.

spark

¹

/ spɑːk /

noun

1. a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces

2. 1. a momentary flash of light accompanied by a sharp crackling noise, produced by a sudden electrical discharge through the air or some other insulating medium between two points

   2. the electrical discharge itself

   3. ( as modifier )

      a spark gap

3. anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite

4. a trace or hint

   she doesn't show a spark of interest

5. vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour

6. a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass

verb

1. (intr) to give off sparks

2. (intr) (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark

3. to kindle, excite, or animate

spark

²

/ spɑːk /

noun

1. a fashionable or gallant young man

2. ironic,  a person who appears clever or witty

   some bright spark left the papers next to the open window

verb

1. rare,  to woo (a person)

Spark

³

/ spɑːk /

noun

1. Dame Muriel ( Sarah ). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Memento Mori (1959), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961), The Takeover (1976), A Far Cry from Kensington (1988), Symposium (1990), and The Finishing School (2004)

Other Word Forms

• sparkish adjective
• sparkless adjective
• sparklessly adverb
• sparklike adjective
• sparkishly adverb
• sparkishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of spark¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun spark(e), sparc(k), Old English spearca, spærca, sperca; cognate with Middle Dutch sparcke, spercke, Middle Low German sparke; the verb is derivative of the noun

Origin of spark²

First recorded in 1575–85; figurative use of spark ¹ , or from Old Norse sparkr “quick, lively, brisk”

Word History and Origins

Origin of spark¹

Old English spearca; related to Middle Low German sparke, Middle Dutch spranke, Lettish spirgsti cinders, Latin spargere to strew

Origin of spark²

C16 (in the sense: beautiful or witty woman): perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sparkr vivacious

Idioms and Phrases

see make the sparks fly.

Example Sentences

The Italian admitted he "absolutely" fired up his players in the half-time interval to spark their comeback.

From BBC

The 23-year-old activist was scrolling through his social media feed in May, when he read complaints about how the high-profile marriage ceremony sparked huge traffic jams in the city of Bhaktapur.

From BBC

Kershaw’s retirement might’ve provided a similar spark, highlighting the significance of such intangible dynamics while lifting the gloom that had clouded the team’s last two months.

From Los Angeles Times

The rollout has sparked confusion among businesses, immigration lawyers and current H-1B visa holders.

From Los Angeles Times

The attacks sparked a near two-year military campaign that has left more than 64,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flare 
• flicker 
• gleam 
• glint 
• glitter 
• glow 
• hint 
• sparkle