spark Hear it!

spark¹ Definition

spark (spärk)

noun

  1. a glowing bit of matter, esp. one thrown off by a fire
  2. any flash or sparkle of light like this
  3. a tiny beginning or vestige, as of life, interest, excitement, etc.; particle or trace
  4. liveliness; vivacity
  5. Elec.
    1. a very brief flash of light accompanying an electric discharge through air or some other insulating material, as between the electrodes of a spark plug
    2. such a discharge
  6. ☆ Slang a ship's radio operator

Etymology: ME sperke < OE spearca, akin to MDu sparke < IE base *sp(h)er(e)-g-, to strew, sprinkle > sprinkle, L spargere

intransitive verb

  1. to make or throw off sparks
  2. to come forth as or like sparks
  3. to produce the sparks properly: said of the spark plug in an internal combustion engine

transitive verb

to serve as the activating or animating influence of or in; stir up; activate to spark interest

spark¹ Related Forms
spark′er noun
spark² Definition

spark (spärk)

noun

  1. a dashing, gallant young man
  2. a beau or lover

Etymology: ON sparkr, lively: for IE base see spark

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Informal to court, woo, pet, etc.

spark² Related Forms
spark′er noun
Spark Definition

Spark (spärk)

Spark, Dame Muriel (Sarah) (born Muriel Sarah Camberg) 1918-2006; Brit. writer

spark Synonyms

spark

n.

glitter, glow, sparkle; see fire 1, flash 1.

spark Usage Examples

Object

  • outrage: The latest increases have sparked outrage from many quarters especially for people who live on fixed or low incomes, like pensioners.
  • controversy: One Bedlam member sparked controversy by making the same point in a recent radio interview.
  • rumor: Halle Berry has been spotted getting cozy with Versace model Gabriel Aubry - sparking rumors they are dating.
  • fury: The let-off sparked fury after she landed back in court despite being slapped with an anti-social behavior order.
  • plug: They are exact replicas down to the tiniest detail except for tires, chain and spark plugs.
  • frenzy: DAVID BECKHAM David Beckham sparked a media frenzy in Spain when he accidentally told journalists his wife Victoria was pregnant.

Converse of object

  • ignite: Walking hand in hand, initiating exception, lighting the dark, igniting the spark.

Converse of subject

  • ignite: The blast was attributed to an unusual build-up of stomach gases ignited by the sparks.

Adjective modifier

  • bright: Over the last few days some bright spark has wiped the Prague Candy board twice by filling it with messages.
  • divine: Her personal interest is helping people awaken the spirit within through an awareness of holistic living, contrasted with the divine spark within.

Modifies a noun

  • plug: What should my spark plug gap be set to?
  • arrestor: Attached to the top of the chimney is a final stage spark arrestor.
  • ignition: O Octane Number A measure of a fuel's ability to prevent detonation in a spark ignition engine.
  • arrester: Spark arresters can prevent sparks from the flue landing on the thatch, however they must be cleaned regularly.
  • gap: What should my spark plug gap be set to?
  • erosion: Plant includes 4-axis CNC spark erosion, 4-axis CNC wire erosion, and CNC milling machines running DNC from our 3D CAD/CAM systems.

Noun used with modifier

  • iridium: Please refer to our Iridium spark plugs page for further information.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • off: The external stimuli of a picture of a cat could spark off such emotive responses in you.

Preposition: of

  • divinity: Now a new spark of divinity is busy forming inside this body.
  • inspiration: Consequently, Anglia Polytechnic University's Professor Stephen Heppell had a spark of inspiration, and Notschool.net was born.
spark Quotes

   A single sparkcan start a forest fire.Our forces, although small at present, will grow rapidly.

—Mao Zedong or MaoTse-tung

Rapt, twirling in thy hand a withered spray, And waiting for the spark from heaven to fall.

—Arnold, Matthew

Thou waitest for the spark from heaven! and we, Light half-believers in our casual creeds† Who hesitate and falter life away, And lose tomorrow the ground won todayö Ah, do not we,Wanderer, await it too?

—Arnold, Matthew

Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet, sprung from high, is of celestial seed: In God 'tisglory; and when men aspire, 'Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire.

—Dryden,John

This idea of weapons of mass extermination is utterly horrible, and is something that no one with a spark of humanity can tolerate. I will not pretend to obeya Government that is organizing a mass massacre of mankind.

—Russell, Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl

A single word even may be a spark of inextinguishable thought.

—Shelley, Percy Bysshe

Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire, That's a'the learning I desire.

—Burns, Robert

The work of the individual still remains the spark that moves mankind ahead, even more than teamwork.

—Sikorsky, Igor Ivan

A cubic inch of some stars weighs a hundred tonsöBlue tit, who could measure the power of your tiny spark of energy?

—MacCaig, Norman Alexander