spark

== English == === Pronunciation === (non-rhotic) (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈspɑːk/, [ˈspɑːk] (rhotic) (General American) IPA(key): /ˈspɑɹk/, [ˈspɑɹk] Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)k Hyphenation: spark Homophone: SPARC === Etymology 1 === 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”)). ==== Noun ==== spark (plural sparks) A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction. Synonyms: cinder, ember, gnast, funk A short or small burst of electrical discharge. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle. Synonyms: scintilla, scintillation, sparklet, glint, twink (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. Synonyms: beginning, germ, glimmer, scintilla; see also Thesaurus:modicum , Book IV, Chapter XVII But though we have, here and there, a little of this clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge Any of various lycaenid butterflies of the Indomalayan genus Sinthusa. (in the plural sparks but treated as a singular) A ship's radio operator. (UK, slang) An electrician. Synonyms: juicer, sparky (cellular automata) A small collection of cells which briefly appears at the edge of a larger pattern before dying off. (obsolete, thieves' cant, chiefly in the plural) A diamond, especially one set in a piece of jewellery. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Descendants ===== → Esperanto: sparko → Japanese: スパーク (supāku) → Korean: 스파크 (seupakeu) ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== spark (third-person singular simple present sparks, present participle sparking, simple past and past participle sparked) (transitive, figurative) To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc). (transitive) To light; to kindle. (intransitive) To give off a spark or sparks. Synonym: scintillate (intransitive, of a gun) To shoot; to fire ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === Probably Scandinavian, akin to Old Norse sparkr (“sprightly”). ==== Noun ==== spark (plural sparks) A gallant; a foppish young man. Synonyms: blade, masher; see also Thesaurus:dandy A beau, lover. Synonyms: suitor, swain; see also Thesaurus:lover ==== Verb ==== spark (third-person singular simple present sparks, present participle sparking, simple past and past participle sparked) (intransitive, archaic) To woo, court; to act the gallant or beau. Synonyms: make love, romance, solicit; see also Thesaurus:woo ==== Derived terms ==== === References === “spark” in Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary: Based on Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, 7th edition, Springfield, Mass.: G[eorge] & C[harles] Merriam, 1963 (1967 printing), →OCLC. === Anagrams === K-spar, Karps, Parks, Praks, parks == Danish == === Etymology === From Old Norse spark, verbal noun to sparka (“to kick”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /spark/, [sb̥ɑːɡ̊] === Noun === spark n (singular definite sparket, plural indefinite spark) kick ==== Inflection ==== === Verb === spark imperative of sparke == Faroese == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /spaɹ̥k/ === Noun === spark n (genitive singular sparks, plural spørk) kick ==== Declension ==== ==== Derived terms ==== == Icelandic == === Etymology === From sparka (“to kick”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈspar̥k/ Rhymes: -ar̥k === Noun === spark n (genitive singular sparks, nominative plural spörk) kick ==== Declension ==== == Middle English == === Noun === spark alternative form of sparke == Norwegian Bokmål == === Noun === spark n (definite singular sparket, indefinite plural spark, definite plural sparka or sparkene) a kick (with a foot) short for sparkstøtting (“kicksled”) ==== Derived terms ==== brassespark frispark hjørnespark straffespark ==== Related terms ==== sparke === Verb === spark imperative of sparke == Norwegian Nynorsk == === Noun === spark n (definite singular sparket, indefinite plural spark, definite plural sparka) a kick (with a foot) short for sparkstøtting (“kicksled”) ==== Derived terms ==== brassespark frispark hjørnespark straffespark == Swedish == === Etymology === From Old Norse spark, from sparka (“to kick”). === Noun === spark c kick short for sparkstötting (“kicksled”) (in "få sparken") (to be given) the boot (get fired from work) ==== Declension ==== === Anagrams === karps, parks, skarp