1spark1 (spɑːk
)
Definitions
noun
- a fiery particle thrown out or left by burning material or caused by the friction of two hard surfaces
- a momentary flash of light accompanied by a sharp crackling noise, produced by a sudden electrical discharge through the air or some other insulating medium between two points
- the electrical discharge itself
- ((as modifier) ⇒
a spark gap
- anything that serves to animate, kindle, or excite
- a trace or hint ⇒
she doesn't show a spark of interest
- vivacity, enthusiasm, or humour
- a small piece of diamond, as used in the cutting of glass
verb
- (intr) to give off sparks
- (intr) (of the sparking plug or ignition system of an internal-combustion engine) to produce a spark
- (tr) off to kindle, excite, or animate
Word Origin
Old English spearca; related to Middle Low German sparke, Middle Dutch spranke, Lettish spirgsti cinders, Latin spargere to strew2spark2 (spɑːk)
Definitions
verb
- rare to woo (a person)
Alternative Forms
ˈsparkish adjectiveWord Origin
C16 (in the sense: beautiful or witty woman): perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sparkr vivaciousSpark (spɑːk)
Definitions
noun
- Dame Muriel (Sarah). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Dame (). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include Memento Mori (1959), Dame (). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include (1959), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961), Dame (). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include (1959), (1961), The Takeover (1976), Dame (). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include (1959), (1961), (1976), A Far Cry from Kensington (1988), Dame (). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include (1959), (1961), (1976), (1988), Symposium (1990), and Dame (). 1918–2006, British novelist and writer; her novels include (1959), (1961), (1976), (1988), (1990), and The Finishing School (2004)
Translations
- British English:
spark
A spark is a tiny bright piece of burning material that flies up from something that is burning.Sparks flew out of the fire in all directions.spɑːk NOUN Sparks flew out of the fire in all directions.
- Spanish:
chispa
nf
- French:
étincelle
nf
- German:
Funke
nm
- Chinese: 火花 n
- Arabic: شَرَّارَة n
- Portuguese: centelha nf
- Russian: искра nf
- Croatian: iskra nf
- Czech: jiskra nf
- Danish: gnist nutr
- Dutch: vonk n
- Finnish: kipinä n
- Greek: σπίθα nf
- Italian: scintilla nf
- Japanese: 火花 n
- Korean: 불꽃 n
- Norwegian: gnist nm
- Polish: iskra nf
- Brazilian Portuguese: centelha nf
- European Spanish:
chispa
nf
- Swedish: gnista nutr
- Thai: ประกายไฟ n
- Turkish: kıvılcım n
- Vietnamese: tia lửa n
Usage examples
A tiny spark glinted there, a splinter of metal that shone with its own bright, white fire.
, LIRAEL: DAUGHTER OF THE CLAYR (2001)In place of a mechanical firing mechanism, these weapons detonate their rounds using an electronic spark.
New Scientist (2003)The service manager said several parts were replaced because, apparently, squirrels had chewed through the spark plug cable.
Globe and Mail (2003)"DANNY MURPHY believes Michael Owen's hat-trick on Saturday will spark a prolific goalscoring run.
Liverpool Daily Post and Echo (2002)Questions of this kind will spark off your creative imagination.
, 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)