SPARK

n. & v. --n. 1 a fiery particle thrown off from a fire, or alight in ashes, or produced by a flint, match, etc. 2 (often foll. by of) a particle of a quality etc. (not a spark of life; a spark of interest). 3 Electr. a a light produced by a sudden disruptive discharge through the air etc. b such a discharge serving to ignite the explosive mixture in an internal-combustion engine. 4 a a flash of wit etc. b anything causing interest, excitement, etc. c (also bright spark) a witty or lively person. 5 a small bright object or point, e.g. in a gem. 6 (Sparks) a nickname for a radio operator or an electrician. --v. 1 intr. emit sparks of fire or electricity. 2 tr. (often foll. by off) stir into activity; initiate (a process) suddenly. 3 intr. Electr. produce sparks at the point where a circuit is interrupted. øspark chamber an apparatus designed to show ionizing particles. spark-gap the space between electric terminals where sparks occur. sparking-plug Brit. = spark-plug. spark-plug a device for firing the explosive mixture in an internal-combustion engine. øøsparkless adj. sparky adj. [ME f. OE spórca, spearca]