spark

¹spark

noun \ˈspärk\

Definition of SPARK

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

Origin of SPARK

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

Rhymes with SPARK

arc, ark, bark, dark, hark, lark, marc, MARC, mark, Mark, marque, narc, nark, park, Park, quark, sark, shark, stark

²spark

verb

Definition of SPARK

intransitive verb

1

a : to throw out sparks

b : to flash or fall like sparks

2

: to produce sparks; specifically : to have the electric ignition working

3

: to respond with enthusiasm

transitive verb

1

: to set off in a burst of activity : activate <the question sparked a lively discussion> —often used with off

2

: to stir to activity : incite <sparked her team to victory>

— spark·er noun

First Known Use of SPARK

13th century

³spark

noun

Definition of SPARK

1

: a foppish young man

2

: lover, beau

— spark·ish \ˈspär-kish\ adjective

Origin of SPARK

perhaps from ¹spark

First Known Use: circa 1600

⁴spark

verb

Definition of SPARK

: woo, court

— spark·er noun

First Known Use of SPARK

1787

Spark

biographical name \ˈspärk\

Definition of SPARK

Dame Muriel (Sarah) 1918–2006 née Camberg British writer