Main Entry:

¹spark

Pronunciation:

\ˈspärk\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English sparke, from Old English spearca; akin to Middle Dutch sparke spark and perhaps to Latin spargere to scatter

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed b: a hot glowing particle struck from a larger mass ; especially : one heated by friction2 a: a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by a gas (as air) b: the discharge in a spark plug c: the mechanism controlling the discharge in a spark plug3: sparkle, flash4: something that sets off a sudden force <provided the spark that helped the team to rally>5: a latent particle capable of growth or developing : germ <still retains a spark of decency>6plural but sing in constr : a radio operator on a ship