sparking plug

American  

noun

British.

1. spark plug.

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sparking plug British  

noun

1. Also called: spark plug.  a device screwed into the cylinder head of an internal-combustion engine to ignite the explosive mixture by means of an electric spark which jumps across a gap between a point earthed to the body of the plug and the tip of a central insulated rod

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Etymology

Origin of sparking plug

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sparking plug

The explosion of the mixture was brought about by a sparking plug connected with a small electric battery, the sparking being controlled by a cam on the shaft.

From King of the Air Or, To Morocco on an Aeroplane by Herbert Strang

The disguise would certainly deceive one's nearest relations, but as likely as not one's dog would come up and give the whole show away by licking the sparking plug.

From Mr. Punch Awheel The Humours of Motoring and Cycling by Sir John Alexander Hammerton

Each author, without one exception to bring balm to my heart, wrote liltingly and sprightly a story of some particular make of motor-car that seemed to control the sparking plug of his genius.

From Roads of Destiny by O. Henry

The chauffeur will have to go on by diligence to-morrow to get a new sparking plug.

From The Broken Road by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason

But to think of that chap, nearly thirteen thousand feet in the air, actually talking to us down on the earth while he was wrestling with a battery or sparking plug, or something!

From Aliens by William McFee