A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
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A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
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A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
4
Figuratively 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 remainingc. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene vi]:
, Book IV, Chapter XVII But though we have, here and there, a little of this clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge
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When the latter disk showed some sparks, Moman contacted MGM's Jim Vienneau, who picked up the waxing for national release.1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, →ISBN, page 173:
Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.2013 September 1, Phil McNulty, BBC Sport:
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Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa.
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.1999, Des Lyver, Graham Swainson, Basics of Video Lighting, page 103:
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Cellular automata, Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off.
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In plural, Obsolete A diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery.
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”)).
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Figuratively 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.2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
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 2012.2025 November 13, Kamala Thiagarajan, “If you're going to be kind to another human, today is the day to do it!”, in NPR:
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To light; to kindle.
Byron sparked the cigarette. He sucked it dramatically and thrust it into Marko's hand.2009, Alex Jenson, The Serotonin Grand Prix, page 12:
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To give off a spark or sparks.
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Of a gun To shoot; to fire
[Streetlife]:Fuck a peace talk, let the gun spark, on the streets of New York.1998 November 10, “Grid Iron Rap” (track 17), in Tical 2000: Judgement Day, performed by Method Man, Streetlife (rapper):
All of a sudden, everybody tuggin', everybody dark. Everybody gums runnin', 'til the guns spark.2004, “U Ain't A Killer” (track 10), in The War Mixtape, performed by Akala (rapper):
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Guns spark in the dark, it was all just a part of the eighties Bronx scene that created all.2022 February 22, “Raw Hip Hop” (track 2), in IMAMCRU12, performed by KRS-One:
Etymology Probably Scandinavian, akin to Old Norse sparkr (“sprightly”).
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A gallant; a foppish young man.
The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Alma: Or, The Progress of the Mind”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […], →OCLC:
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?”1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC:
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He will retrieve his errors yet—their worthy Father, once my honour'd master, was at his years nearly as wild a spark.1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, I.ii:
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A beau, lover.
spark
verb
Etymology Probably Scandinavian, akin to Old Norse sparkr (“sprightly”).
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Archaic To woo, court; to act the gallant or beau.