Spark

Pronunciation

• enPR: spärk, IPA: /spɑː(r)k/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(r)k
• Homophones: SPARC

Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from Proto-Germanic *sparkô, *sprakô (cf. Dutch spark and sprank, Middle Low German sparke), from Proto-Indo-European *sp(h)er(e)g- ("to strew, sprinkle") (compare Breton erc'h ("snow"), Latin spargere ("to scatter, spread"), sparsus ("scattered"), Lithuanian sprógti ("to germinate"), Ancient Greek (spargân, "to swell"), Persian پراکن (parākan, "scatter, spread"), Avestan (frasparega, "branch, twig"), Sanskrit (Parjanva, "rain, rain god")).

Full definition of spark

Noun

1. A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire.
2. A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
3. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
4. (figuratively) A small amount of something, such as an idea, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire.
• Shakespeareif any spark of life be yet remaining
• John LockeWe have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge.
• 2013, Phil McNulty, "http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980", BBC Sport, 1 September 2013:Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.
5. (in plural sparks but treated as a singular) A ship's radio operator.
6. (UK, slang) An electrician.

Synonyms

• (small particle of glowing matter; ember) gnast
• (small amount of something, such as an idea, that has the potential to become something greater) beginnings, germ, glimmer

Derived terms

• sparkle
• bright spark
• spark arrester
• spark coil
• spark gap
• spark knock
• spark of life
• spark plug
• spark transmitter
• sparks fly

Verb

1. (transitive) To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).
• 2012, May 5, Phil McNulty, Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool, 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 goal in the closing stages.
2. (intransitive) To give off a spark or sparks.

Derived terms

• spark off
• sparkle

probably Scandinavian, akin to Old Norse sparkr 'sprightly'

Noun

1. A gallant, a foppish young man.
• PriorThe finest sparks and cleanest beaux.
2. A beau, lover.

Verb

1. To woo, court.

Derived terms

• sparkish
• sparker

Anagrams

• parks