/spɑɹk/, /spɑːk/
OriginFrom Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from Proto-West Germanic *sparkō (compare Saterland Frisian Spoorke, West Frisian spark, Dutch spark, German Low German Sparke, German Sparke), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *sparkaz (“lively, energetic”), from Proto-Indo-European *sperg- (“to strew, sprinkle”) (compare Breton erc’h (“snow”), Latin spargō (“to scatter, spread”), sparsus (“scattered”), Lithuanian sprógti (“to germinate”), Ancient Greek σπαργάω (spargáō, “to swell”), Avestan 𐬟𐬭𐬀𐬯𐬞𐬀𐬭𐬈𐬔𐬀 (frasparega, “branch, twig”), Sanskrit पर्जन्य (parjanya, “rain, rain god”)).
- A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
- A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
- A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
- figurativelyA small amount of something, such as an idea or romantic affection, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire.
“if any spark of life be yet remaining”
“, Book IV, Chapter XVII
But though we have, here and there, a little of this clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge”
“When the latter disk showed some sparks, Moman contacted MGM's Jim Vienneau, who picked up the waxing for national release.”
- Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa.
- A ship's radio operator.
- UK, slangAn electrician.
“At the other extreme, with limitless budgets all they have to do is dream up amazing lighting rigs to be constructed and operated by the huge team of gaffers and sparks, with their generators, dischar”
- A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off.
- in-plural, obsoleteA diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery.
- A gallant; a foppish young man.
“The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.”
“Jones had no sooner quitted the room, than the petty-fogger, in a whispering tone, asked Mrs Whitefield, “If she knew who that fine spark was?””
“He will retrieve his errors yet—their worthy Father, once my honour'd master, was at his years nearly as wild a spark.”
- A beau, lover.
- figuratively, transitiveTo trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).
“The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's go”
“One such investigation described how kindness can be contagious. It was sparked by reports of an outbreak of kindness on a cold December morning in 2012.”
- transitiveTo light; to kindle.
“Byron sparked the cigarette. He sucked it dramatically and thrust it into Marko's hand.”
- intransitiveTo give off a spark or sparks.
- intransitiveTo shoot; to fire
“[Streetlife]:Fuck a peace talk, let the gun spark, on the streets of New York.”
“All of a sudden, everybody tuggin', everybody dark. Everybody gums runnin', 'til the guns spark.”
“Guns spark in the dark, it was all just a part of the eighties Bronx scene that created all.”
- archaic, intransitiveTo woo, court; to act the gallant or beau.
Formssparks(plural) · sparks(present, singular, third-person) · sparking(participle, present) · sparked(participle, past) · sparked(past)