I. ˈspärk, -pȧk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English sperke, sparke, from Old English spearca, spærca; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German sparke spark, Latin spargere to scatter, strew, Greek spargan to swell, Sanskrit sphūrjati it bursts forth, appears
1.
a. : a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed
sparks from a fire
b. : a hot glowing particle heated by friction and struck out at the impact of two hard objects (as flint and steel)
2.
a. : a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by air or other gas
b. : a small arc of short duration (as often at dynamo brushes)
c. : the discharge in a spark plug
d. : the mechanism (as a button or lever) controlling the discharge in a spark plug
3.
a. : a very small glittering body or surface or a transient flash of reflected light : sparkle
b. : a very small gem : sparkler ; specifically : diamond
4. : something that ignites or sets off an explosion, conflagration, or other manifestation of suddenly released force
spark that set off the rebellion
5. : a latent particle or vestige of some quality or capability having possibilities of growth or development : germ
discern the spark of promise … the barb of fruitful controversy — August Fruge
a spark of decency still remained in him
lacking the least spark of wit or grace
vital spark in a man that makes him an artist — Philip Mason
6. sparks plural but singular in construction : a radio operator on a ship
7. : spark transmitter
8. : a person interested in fires and fire fighting : buff 7a
9. : geranium lake 2
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English sparken; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German sparken to spark, sparkle, Old English spearca spark — more at spark I
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to throw out sparks : sparkle
the damp wood crackled and sparked
her eyes sparking with fury
b. : to flash out or fall like sparks
fireflies sparking in the gathering darkness
2. : to produce sparks : convert electrical energy into light and heat by ionization of the air or gas that separates the electrodes (as of a dynamo or a spark plug)
3. : to respond with enthusiasm or ready acceptance
sparked to the idea of an early wedding date
transitive verb
1. : to set off in a burst of activity : activate
these kindred spirits, articulate men with hair-trigger minds, spark the president's thinking — Raymond Clapper
2. : to stir into intense or sustained activity : inspire with zeal and energy : incite , stimulate
a player sparks his team to victory
his hit sparked a rally that brought in four runs
the discovery sparked the police to fresh activity
3. chiefly Scotland : spatter , soil
III. adjective
Etymology: spark (I)
: of or relating to radio communication carried on with a spark transmitter
spark set
spark station
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sparkr lively, sprightly; perhaps akin to Old English spearca spark — more at spark
1. : a young, beautiful, witty woman
2.
a. : a brisk showy gay man : blade , gallant
b. : a hot-tempered person
3. : lover , beau
V. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. obsolete : show off — used with it
2. : woo , court
the railroad didn't pay him to spark a girl on its time — T.W.Duncan
intransitive verb
: to engage in courting : go together as sweethearts