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 friction
2 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 plug
3 : sparkle, flash
4 : 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>
6 plural but sing in constr : a radio operator on a ship