spark

noun
/spɑɹk/US/spɑːk/UK

Etymology

From 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”)).

  1. derived from *sperg-
  2. derived from *sparkaz — “lively, energetic
  3. inherited from *sparkō
  4. inherited from spearca
  5. inherited from sparke

Definitions

  1. A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an…

    A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.

  2. A short or small burst of electrical discharge.

  3. A small, shining body, or transient light

    A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

  4. + 14 more definitions
    1. A small amount of something, such as an idea or romantic affection, that has the…

      A 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.
    2. Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa.

    3. A ship's radio operator.

    4. An 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, discharge lights, flags, gobos and brutes.
    5. A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before…

      A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off.

    6. A diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery.

    7. To 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 goal in the closing stages.
      • 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.
    8. To light

      To light; to kindle.

      • Byron sparked the cigarette. He sucked it dramatically and thrust it into Marko's hand.
    9. To give off a spark or sparks.

    10. To shoot

      To 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.
    11. A gallant

      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.
    12. A beau, lover.

    13. To woo, court

      To woo, court; to act the gallant or beau.

    14. A surname.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for spark. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA