sparkn.1
/spɑːk/, U.S. /spɑrk/ 1.
a. A small particle of fire, an ignited fleck or fragment, thrown off from a burning body or remaining in one almost extinguished, or produced by the impact of one hard body on another.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > fire or flame > [noun] > fire-spark
sparkc725
iselc1000
speldc1050
firebrandc1275
sprankc1300
sparklec1330
funka1393
sparklinga1529
fanglea1657
flanker1840
c725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) S 192 Scintella, spærca.
a900 Old Eng. Martyrol. 25 Aug. 152 Þa eagan wæron swylce fyren iren, ond him sprungon spearcan of þam muðe.
c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in Anglia (1885) 8 320 Hyt beoð spearcan of þam rodere þurh þæs windes blæs.
a1225 Juliana (Royal MS.) 68 An engel..iþat ferliche fur amidden riht lihte, ant hit cwenchte anan, euer euch sperke [Bodl. MS. sparke].
a1300 Cursor Mundi 25756 Na mar þan a sparc in see, Mai sin agains his merci be.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 2079 As fire ys wont to quyk and goo From a sparke.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bvv Thai hewit on hard steil..Quhil the spalis and the sparkis spedely out sprang.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Gii/2 A Sperke, scintilla.
1605 M. Drayton Poems sig. Gg5 A sparke extinguish'd to the eye, Breakes forth in fire e're suddainely it die.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 814 As when a spark Lights on a heap of nitrous Powder. View more context for this quotation
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 83 Spirits of wine will flame with a candle, but not with a spark.
1836–41 W. T. Brande Man. Chem. (ed. 5) 230 If we apply a spark to a small heap of gunpowder, it is instantly dissipated in the gaseous form.
1888 F. Hume Madame Midas i. v. 42 Every blow of the pick sent forth showers of sparks in all directions.
b. With of (fire, etc.).
ΚΠ
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 7732 He fferd, as he scholde men haue brent With spark of fire that fro him glent.
1423 Kingis Quair 48 A ruby..That, as a sperk of lowe,..Semyt birnyng vpon hir quhyte throte.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Job xli. 10 Out of his mouth go lampes, and sparkes of fyre leape out.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. iv. 71 My drops of teares, Ile turne to sparkes of fire. View more context for this quotation
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. vii. 124 The smallest spark of Fire..would kindle the whole.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xxiv. 629 A splinter of wood, with a spark of fire at the extremity.
c. In similes or comparisons.
ΚΠ
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10719 Cador sprong to horse swa spærc [c1300 Otho sparc] him doh of fure.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 91 Of knith ne hauede he neuere drede, Þat he ne sprong forth so sparke of glede.
c1386 G. Chaucer Sir Thopas 194 Forþ vppon his way [he] glode As sparke out of þe bronde.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 258 Bot such conseil ther mai be non,..That it nys lich the Sparke fyred Up in the Rof.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xlii. 22 O how amiable are all his workes, & as a sparke to loke vpon?
a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 199 His was but a momentary kingdome, like a sparke which riseth from the fire, and falleth into the fire again.
1611 Bible (King James) Job v. 7 Yet man is borne vnto trouble, as the sparkes flie vpward. View more context for this quotation
1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn I. xiii. 108 The grace of God still lived as a faint spark, not wholly quenched, under the whitening embers of his life.
d. figurative and in figurative context; frequently with allusion to the beginning or immediate cause of a fire or conflagration.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [noun] > spark or cause of something hard to control
sparkc888
sparklea1382
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a very small amount > specifically of something immaterial
sparkc888
shredc1400
drop1576
scrap1607
particle1620
atom1626
morsel1779
thimbleful1789
glimmer1837
flicker1849
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. v. §3 Of ðæm lytlan spearcan þe þu mid ðære tyndran gefenge, lifes leoht þe onlyhte.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 218 Ȝef hit eawet stureð þe. cwenh hit wið teares water...hwil hit nis buten ansparke.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 137 Huet am ich bote esssse, and spearken, and hor, and stench.
1520 Chron. Eng. iii. f. 20/2 The power of god to the whiche power all other ben but a sperke and dust.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cxxxiiijv For Sathan can rayse vp a great flamme through Gods permission, of a verey small sparke.
1609 in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) III. 87 That Illustrious Sparke of Honor and Vertue, Sir Robert Sherley.
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iv. §13. 391 Yet were..the sparkes of that fire so blowne up, as dazled the eyes of the Papists.
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. 302 Hereat, that King who was a spark in Himself, was enflamed to that designe by this Prelates perswasion.
1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) II. 134 The smallest spark may here kindle into the greatest flame.
1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 219 Their want of light and intellect supplied By sparks absurdity strikes out of pride.
1845 B. Disraeli Sybil III. vi. ix. 247 Left alone they might have remained quiet; but they only wanted the spark.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. x. 600 To put them in a state where, the train being laid, the slightest spark sufficed to kindle a conflagration.
e. a spark in one's throat (see quot. 1785). slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > [noun]
thirstc1000
dry1377
drought1393
thirstingc1500
drynessa1535
dryth1557
thirstiness1583
thirst-longing?1617
droughtiness1720
a spark in one's throat1721
1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 334 The Smith has ay a Spark in his Haise [= halse]. And they often take pains to quench it.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) A man that is always thirsty, is said to have a spark in his throat.
1820 J. Hodgson in J. Raine Mem. J. Hodgson (1857) I. 292 He has a spark in his throat which often requires to be cooled.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Will Waterproof's Monologue in Poems (new ed.) II. 187 She lit the spark within my throat, To make my blood run quicker.
f. sparks fly and variants: heated words are spoken, friction or excited action occurs.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > manifestation of anger > [phrase] > heated words are spoken
sparks fly1929
1732 T. Fuller Gnomologia 244 When the Heart is a fire, some Sparks will fly out of the Mouth.]
1929 Amer. Speech 5 124 It was also said of an angry woman that she will ‘make the sparks fly’.
1950 F. Stark Traveller's Prelude 182 My sister never hurried and never scolded..while the effect of ‘sparks flying’ in the next ward reacted on all the men.
1977 Western Morning News 1 Sept. 10/3 Robertson scored from the spot, and then sparks really began to fly.
2. a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 262 Ane spark of thy hie excellent prudence Gif ws.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 388 Not a sparcke so much of Reason, example, or proofe.1601 J. Wheeler Treat. Commerce 101 For the which they neuer shewed any sparke of thankfulnesse.1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. i. x. 57 All sparks of Generosity, and Manhood.a1770 J. Jortin Serm. (1771) I. iii. 41 Whilst any spark of spiritual life remains.1794 R. B. Sheridan Duenna (new ed.) ii. 45 If any sparks of anger had remain'd.1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. ii. 113 They still kept alive the sparks of future friendship.1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1877) II. vii. 22 The King who reigned without a spark of English feeling.
a. A small trace, indication, or portion of some quality, feeling, sentiment, etc., in some way comparable to a spark, esp. in respect of its latent possibilities.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > [noun] > trace of an emotion
sparkc888
remain1594
resentment1622
smoulderingness1849
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxv. §5 Sum spearca..soðfæstnesse.
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xxxviii. §7 Gif ða scyldgan ænigne spearcan wisdomes hæfden.
b. A small remnant, fragment, piece, atom, or amount, of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a very small amount
shredc1000
farthingsworthc1325
pennyworthc1330
incha1350
sliverc1374
chipa1393
gnastc1440
Jack1530
spoonful1531
crumba1535
spark1548
slight1549
pin's worth1562
scruple1574
thought1581
pinch1583
scrap1583
splinter1609
ticket1634
notchet1637
indivisible1644
tinyc1650
twopence1691
turn of the scale(s)1706
enough to swear by1756
touch1786
scrimptiona1825
infinitesimal1840
smidgen1841
snuff1842
fluxion1846
smitchel1856
eyelash1860
smidge1866
tenpenceworth1896
whisker1913
tidge1986
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a separate part > a piece or bit > small piece
fingereOE
snedec1000
seed?a1200
morselc1300
bittlock?a1400
farthingc1405
spota1413
lipetc1430
offe?1440
drewc1450
remnantc1450
parcel1483
crap1520
flakec1525
patch1528
spark1548
a piece1559
sparklec1570
inch1573
nibbling?1577
scantling1585
scrat1593
mincing1598
scantle1598
halfpenny1600
quantity1600
nip1606
kantch1608
bit1609
catch1613
scripa1617
snap1616
sippeta1625
crumblet1634
scute1635
scantleta1642
snattock1654
cantlet1700
tab1729
pallion1738
smallness1818
knobble1823
wisp1836
1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) at Scintilla That no sparke of that moste cruell warre be lefte.
a1568 in Bannatyne MS (1896) IV. 344 He het the milk our hett, And sorrow spark of it wald yyrne.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 150 b It is neither the cause it selfe, nor any sparcke of the cause.
1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac New Epist. III. 9 From whom in fifteene dayes I have received but one small sparke of a Letter.
c. A speck or spot upon a ground or in a substance of a different colour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > spot of colour > [noun] > small spot or speckle
puncta1398
pointa1400
masclec1400
specklec1440
pecklec1450
sprinkle1481
spreckle1513
frecklea1549
spruttle1553
dot1596
punctum1653
pip1676
spark1686
punctal1694
mail1727
punctule1785
puncta1858
freck1866
guttula1887
1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. iv. 158 Though it seem to be a white marble fill'd with black sparks.
1873 E. Spon Workshop Receipts 1st Ser. 401/2 To make the ink fly off in sparks over the edges of the book.
d. A trace or dash of spirit, courage, etc. (cf. sense 6b). to get a spark up (New Zealand colloquial): to fortify one's spirits with alcohol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > mental or moral vigour > a trace or dash of
spark1939
1939 C. Belton Outside Law in N.Z. 50 Today young men who intend going to a dance drink until closing time..just to get a spark up, they say.
1942 Sun (Baltimore) 30 Nov. 15/4 Navy had a spark plug in Hamberg and another in Hume that Army lacked. There was no man on Army's squad able to supply this needed spark.
1949 J. R. Cole It was so Late 15 Can't get a spark up on beer tonight.
1977 Sniffin' Glue July 11 The estates are dismal but anyone who's got any spark is alive enough to get active and out.
3.
a. The vital or animating principle in man; a trace of life or vitality. Frequently in vital spark, spark of life.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > vital principle > [noun]
souleOE
lifeOE
spiritusOE
bloodOE
ghostOE
life and soulOE
quickship?c1225
quicknessc1230
breatha1300
spirita1325
spark1382
naturec1385
sparkle1388
livelinessa1398
rational soula1398
spiracle1398
animal spirit?a1425
vital spiritc1450
soul of the world1525
candle1535
fire1576
three souls1587
vitality?1592
candlelight1596
substance1605
vivacity1611
animality1615
vividity1616
animals1628
life spring1649
archeus1651
vital1670
spirituosity1677
springs of life1681
microcosmetor1684
vital force1702
vital spark (also flame)1704
stamen1718
vis vitae1752
prana1785
Purusha1785
jiva1807
vital force1822
heartbeat1828
world-soul1828
world-spirit1828
life energy1838
life force1848
ghost soul1869
will to live1871
biogen1882
ki1893
mauri1897
élan vital1907
orgone1942
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 2 Sam. xiv. 7 Thei sechen to quench my spark that is laft.
c1450 Alphabet of Tales (1905) II. 495 Go away fro me, womman, ffor yit þer is a sparke of lyfe in me.
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. ii. sig. D3 O speak if any sparke of life remaine.
1700 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother i. i. 218 From whose bright Beings Those active Sparks were struck which move our Clay.
1730 A. Pope Christiani Morientis in D. Lewis et al. Misc. Poems 37 Vital Spark of Heav'nly Flame!
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. iv. 85 She lay so long insensible, that Emily began to fear that the spark of life was extinguished.
1817 Gentleman's Mag. Aug. 174/1 The vital spark was extinct before the body was picked up.
a1892 Ld. Tennyson God & Universe i Will my tiny spark of being wholly vanish in your deeps and heights?
b. divine spark: a trace of the divine nature in man. Also in trivial use.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > state of being or divinity > trace of (in man)
divine spark1853
1853 E. Bulwer-Lytton My Novel II. vi. xxi. 180 The divine spark had fled from the human face; the Beast is everywhere growing more and more out of the thing that had been Man.
1920 H. J. Laski Let. 15 May in Holmes-Laski Lett. (1953) I. 263 They may be stupid, lazy, what you will; but ninety-nine out of every hundred have a divine spark in them somewhere which sympathy and enthusiasm is sure to light.
1932 Week-End Rev. 9 Jan. 46/2 She felt she had not got into touch, had not given herself, had not transmitted the divine spark.
1957 F. L. Cross Oxf. Dict. Christian Church 1218/1 As originally formed, man was a powerless entity who wriggled on the ground like a worm..until a Divine spark set him on his feet.
1968 F. Lundberg Rich & Super-rich xv. 632 (heading) The divine spark among the rich.
4.
a. A small diamond (†or other precious stone). Originally diamond (or ruby) spark and spark of diamond, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > gem or precious stone > [noun] > small
sparkle1480
spark1508
(a)
(b)1551 J. Williams Acct. Monastic Treasures (1836) 50 Balaces, small sparkes of emeraldes, and small course perles.1577 in J. Nichols Progresses Queen Elizabeth (1788) II. 14 Item,..xvi small rubyes being but sparcks, and v sparcks of dyamonds.1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. F Good Madam what shall he doe with a hoop ring, And a sparke of diamond in it.a1694 J. Tillotson Serm. (1744) XI. ccxiii. 4785 The little and short sayings of wise and excellent men are of great value, like the dust of gold, or the least sparks of diamond.1757 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. II. 158 The Florentine work..consists of sparks of gems and small pieces of the finest marble.a1774 O. Goldsmith Surv. Exper. Philos. (1776) I. 379 As for those things that cannot be thus weighed, such as quicksilver, small sparks of diamond, and such like.(c)1599 George a Greene sig. B2 A chaplet..Set with choice rubies, sparkes, and diamonds.1614 in Archaeol. XLII. 350 A hoope ringe with 9 sparkes.1675 London Gaz. No. 987/4 A Diamond Ring with three very large stones, and some sparks.1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 245. ⁋2 Another [ring] set round with small Rubies and Sparks.1771 Hist. Sir W. Harrington (1797) II. 239 The lockets are..one,..with the cyphers of her name put on it, set with very small sparks.1874 Hotten's Slang Dict. (rev. ed.) 303 Sparks, diamonds. Term much in use among the lower orders, and generally applied to stones in rings and pins.figurative.1758 S. Hayward Seventeen Serm. xvi. 470 The sparks of this crown are perfect holiness and a conformity to God.1508 W. Dunbar Goldyn Targe (Chepman & Myllar) in Poems (1998) I. 184 Hevinly beriall droppis..birnyng as ruby sperkis.
1575 J. Rolland Treat. Court Venus i. f. 3 With Rubie sparkis ane greit number to se.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 85 Being the goodliest plot, the Diamond sparke, and the Honny spot of all Candy.
1701 London Gaz. No. 3718/4 A Gold Twisted Tooth Pick Case set with Diamond Sparks.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. lix. 248 A ring set with a ruby..surrounded by diamond sparks.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby i. 33 Ingot of gold and diamond spark.
1869 Ld. Tennyson Passing of Arthur 224 For all the haft twinkled with diamond sparks.
b. A (glittering) fragment or particle of some metal, ore, or mineral. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > [noun] > a mineral > fragment or particle
spark1562
spangle1611
glebe1731
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [noun] > spark or glittering light > glittering fragment or particle
spark1562
sparklec1570
spangle1611
diamond1815
1562 P. Whitehorne Certain Waies Orderyng Souldiers f. 44v, in tr. N. Machiavelli Arte of Warre If you will make it parfiter, put to it a fewe stamped brickes, and sparkes of yron.
1581 W. Stafford Compend. Exam. Complaints (1876) ii. 51 To trie out the sandes..to get amonge them after much labour small sparkes of gold.
1653 E. Manlove Liberties & Customes Lead-mines Derby 273 Trunks and Sparks of oar.
a1701 H. Maundrell Of Valley of Salt in Journey to Jerusalem (1721) 10 Tho' it had the sparks and particles of Salt, yet it had perfectly lost its Savour.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 522 This bluish stone was filled with sparks of virgin copper.
5. in combination.1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida ii. sig. C3v Delicate, delicious, spark eyed, sleek skind, slender wasted, clean legd, rarely shap't.
a. A bright or glittering emanation, flash, or gleam of light. Also transferred, a bright glance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [noun] > spark or glittering light
sprankle1398
sparkle1490
spunkc1540
sparka1542
scintil1599
glitter1602
star1609
stricture1628
spinther1641
scintillation1646
fanglea1657
scintilla1661
sparkleta1687
twinkle1689
spangle1821
spink1829
crown jewel1851
twink1870
peep1882
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) xlvii. 1 The lyvely sperkes that issue from those Iyes.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Bluette, a little streake, or sparke of heat, in the aire, when the season is verie hot.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 195 At first I took them for sparks that are many times seen to flash out of the Sea, when the water is very rough.
1746 J. Hervey Medit. (1818) 256 Abundance of living sparks glitter in the lanes, and twinkle under the hedges.
1750 tr. C. Leonardus Mirror of Stones 86 Of this stone there is one kind, of a gold colour, with some burning sparks.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles v. xii. 188 Beneath their oars the ocean's might Was dash'd to sparks of glimmering light.
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Nov. 3/1 At the sound of her native tongue, a spark came into her dark eyes.
b. Medicine. In plural, the glittering caused by the gathering of particles of cholesterin upon the eye in sparkling synchisis.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of eye > disordered vision > [noun] > specks or sparks before eye
stars1598
synchysis1684
muscae volitantes1715
spot1785
phosphene1852
muscae1856
sparkling synchisis1859
spark1899
floater1902
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 42 It is conceivable that sparks or similar subjective phenomena, may appear from sudden and powerful contraction of the orbicularis palpebrarum compressing the globe.
6.
a. A brilliant streak or flash of light produced by a discontinuous discharge of electricity between two conductors at a short or moderate distance apart.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] > point of discharge > discontinuous discharge
electric spark1745
spark1749
electric(al) spark1771
brush1789
brush discharge1849
jump spark1908
1742 J. T. Desaguliers Diss. Electr. 7 If the Room be darken'd when you make these Experiments, you will see Sparks of Light where-ever the Tube snaps.]
1749 B. Franklin Let. in Exper. & Observ. Electr. (1751) 29 That thimble, in passing by, receives a spark, and thereby being electrified is repelled.
1788 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 78 271 Now, when the machine worked well, Mr. Gilpin supposes he got about two or three hundred sparks a minute.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xvii. 427 Upon putting the prime conductor into its place,..sparks two or three inches in length should fly rapidly from it to the knuckle.
1873 J. C. Maxwell Treat. Electr. & Magn. (1881) I. 57 The discharge, when it occurs, usually takes the form of a spark.
b. More fully in electric(al) spark. Also transferred and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] > point of discharge > discontinuous discharge
electric spark1745
spark1749
electric(al) spark1771
brush1789
brush discharge1849
jump spark1908
1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 480/1 The electric spark will strike a hole through a quire of paper.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics x. 86 Similar bands are perceived in the light..of the electric spark.
1840 Brit. Florist (1846) I. 72 The flowers of this genus may be seen..to emit small electrical sparks or threads of light.
1846 G. Grote Hist. Greece I. i. xvii. 646 Animated by the electric spark of genius.
c. plural usually construed as singular. One who works with electrical equipment: a radio operator, an electrician, etc. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > radio communications > [noun] > radio operator
radio operator1912
spark1914
op1921
wop1939
pianist1955
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > utility service workers > [noun] > electrician
electrician1869
spark1914
juicer1928
1914 Dial. Notes 4 151 Sparks, wireless operator.
1917 Wireless World V. 37 In the Service the regular nickname for wireless telegraphists is graphically expressed as ‘Sparks’.
1922 P. F. Westerman Wireless Officer iii. 25 A burly, jovial-featured man..greeted Mostyn as he stepped off the gang-plank. ‘Hello, you're our Sparks, aren't you?’
1922 Westm. Gaz. 29 Nov. Cunarder's ‘Sparks’.
1934 Sun (Baltimore) 31 Jan. 20/3 ‘Sparks’, the radio operator, was busy at his key.
1938 H. Borust In Plain Clothes xii. 184 Scene shifters, ‘sparks’ (light men), wardrobe-keepers.
1971 Guardian 24 Sept. 12/4 I went to Manchester as a spark's mate—an electrician's mate.
1975 Listener 10 Apr. 461/3 Lord Sneaker tells his sparks to wrap up the lights.
1977 M. Babson Murder, murder, Little Star viii. 56 The Technical Crew were called by the names of the jobs they did... Sparks was the electrician, Props was the property master, Camera the cameraman.
1980 R. Mitton Master & Son i. 9 Meet Ulrica Halsted..the sexiest Spark that ever went to sea.
d. Short for spark telegraphy n. at Compounds 4 (cf. senses Compounds 2, 1d).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telegraphy > [noun] > types or systems of > radio-telegraphy
space telegraphy1897
wireless telegraphy1897
radio-telegraphy1898
spark telegraphy1898
wireless1899
marconigraphy1902
Marconism1903
radiography1904
W/T1914
spark1921
1921 Wireless World 2 Apr. 21/1 Commencing by pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of various circuits for the reception of Spark, C. W. and Telephony, Captain Tingey gave many useful hints.
1922 Wireless World 15 Apr. 76/2 One ought to..switch that connection on to different places when one is receiving spark or telephony.
1925 Weekly Disp. 22 Nov. 8/2 If the Government were to replace spark by continuous wave the loss on old apparatus could be set aside by the revenue from wireless licences.
Compounds
General attributive. C1. In the names of contrivances for the arresting, etc., of sparks in locomotive funnels or in chimneys, as spark-arrester, spark-baffler, spark guard, spark plate, spark trap.Also, in later use, spark-condenser, spark-consumer, etc.
ΚΠ
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §799 What is called a spark plate (a broad plate of cast iron, to reflect back the sparks, and prevent their reaching up to the hops).
1838 Civil Engineer & Architect's Jrnl. 1 134/1 The adaptation of this contrivance, and also the spark arrester, is very much called for.
1873 Medley Autumn Tour U.S. & Canada ix. 142 The locomotives are generally provided with spark-bafflers to the funnels.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) I. 145/2 In American locomotives the top of the funnel is..fitted with a contrivance known as a ‘spark-trap’ or ‘spark-arrester’.
1901 Scotsman 7 Mar. 6/1 To force railway companies to attach spark guards to locomotive engines.
C2. In the names of electrical apparatus, devices in internal-combustion motors, etc.
spark-chronograph n.
ΚΠ
1889 Internat. Ann. Anthonys Photogr. Bull. 294 The time..I had calculated exactly by means of spark-chronographs.
spark-condenser n.
ΚΠ
1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2254/1 Spark-condenser (Electricity), an instrument..used for burning metals or obtaining the spectra of gases.
spark discharge n.
ΚΠ
1848 Patent Jrnl. 5 Aug. 266/1 In frictional spark discharges, the consequent shock, light, and other peculiarities are in part owing to waves of..polarization.
1863 E. Atkinson tr. A. Ganot Elem. Treat. Physics ix. iv. 587 Spark and brush discharge.
1920 H. M. Dowsett Wireless Telegr. & Telephony 44 The spark discharge.
1921 E. E. Bucher Pract. Wireless Telegr. 83 The term spark frequency is employed to designate the number of spark discharges bridging the gap per second of time.
1973 L. R. Lentz et al. in Automotive Electr. Equipm. (Inst. Mech. Engineers) 63/2 The fuel mixture is ignited prior to the occurrence of the normal spark discharge.
spark discharger n.
ΚΠ
1921 E. E. Bucher Pract. Wireless Telegr. 101 Spark dischargers for radio-telegraphy.
spark frequency n.
ΚΠ
1906 J. A. Fleming Princ. Electr. Wave Telegr. ii. 157 The author has..devised the following appliances for measuring spark frequency.
1912 Brit. Assoc. Dundee Rep. (1913) 402 Prolonged gushes of electricity in one direction, which, coming at the rate of the much lower spark frequency,..create in the telephone a shrill sound.
1921 E. E. Bucher Pract. Wireless Telegr. 83 The term spark frequency is employed to designate the number of spark discharges bridging the gap per second of time.
1925 W. Greenwood Text-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Telephony iv. 75 If a low spark frequency is required the alternator circuit can be tuned to the alternator frequency, and the spark gap lengthened.
spark-gap n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [adjective] > relating to sparks
spark-gap1889
jump spark1908
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] > point of discharge > gap
spark-gap1889
sphere gap1913
needle gap1916
1889 Telegr. Jrnl. 10 May 550/2 An insulated rod, with an induction coil and spark gap.
1905 Electrician Feb. 614/1 Measurements of spark-gap resistance in wireless telegraph senders.
1935 Discovery Aug. 226/1 There are two different types of short-wave generator in actual use, the valve and the spark-gap oscillators.
1967 New Scientist 14 Dec. 671/1 The operator closes the discharge switch, and the electric charge in the capacitors leaps across the spark gap.
spark note n.
ΚΠ
1921 E. E. Bucher Pract. Wireless Telegr. 106 Blunt discharge electrodes give an irregular spark note.
spark-recorder n.
ΚΠ
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 124/2 The spark recorder in some respects foreshadowed the more perfect instrument—the siphon recorder.
spark source n.
ΚΠ
1944 Jrnl. Optical Soc. Amer. 34 773/2 A type of interrupted spark source involving no mechanical parts has been developed for use in quantitative spectrographic analysis.
1956 Nature 4 Feb. 222/1 A high-precision spark source and an optical arrangement containing a rotating mirror are needed.
spark station n.
ΚΠ
1913 Year-bk. Wireless Telegr. & Teleph. 401 It does not follow..that a continuous-wave station is immune from interference by a spark station.
1925 Sci. Abstr. B. 28 232 (heading) International measurements of the wave-lengths of spark stations.
1926 E. H. Chapman Wireless Dict. 124 Spark Station.—A wireless transmitting station employing the spark method of telegraphy.
spark tester n.
ΚΠ
1925 Morris Owner's Man. 84 The motorist should try each plug in turn with the aid of a ‘spark tester’.
spark transmitter n.
ΚΠ
1916 J. A. Fleming Princ. Electr. Wave Telegr. (ed. 3) 671 The types of transmitter employing such condenser discharges are called spark transmitters.
1934 A. L. Albert Electr. Communication xv. 426 The reception of damped waves from a spark transmitter..is very simple.
spark voltage n.
ΚΠ
1906 J. A. Fleming Princ. Electric Wave Telegr. 152 Spark Voltages for Various Spark Lengths and Spark Balls of Various Diameters.
C3. In other uses.
a.
spark guard n.
ΚΠ
1916 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 11 July 13/5 (advt.) Furniture and furnishings..including..fender and spark guard.
1972 Oxf. Times 14 Jan. 2 A spark guard—of close wire mesh—will prevent sparks from flying out.
spark-pistol n.
ΚΠ
1938 S. Beckett Murphy ix. 171 Firing a spark-pistol with a kind of despair.
spark-shower n.
ΚΠ
1938 S. Spender Trial of Judge i. 16 We..motored out..Skidding—spark-showers at corners.
spark-storm n.
ΚΠ
1969 G. MacBeth War Quartet 47 Here, unspilled, The blood of London lay enchaliced, rich Over the spark-storm.
b.
spark-gushing n.
ΚΠ
1938 S. Leslie Film of Memory 131 The spark-gushing engine passed underfoot.
spark-sprayed adj.
ΚΠ
1950 D. Gascoyne Vagrant 28 Till all night's spark-sprayed dome is stunned with quick air-quakes of gold.
C4. Special combinations:
spark ball n. a sphere forming one side of a spark gap.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] > point of discharge > gap > part of
spark ball1902
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXIII. 230/2 The distance at which the effects of the oscillatory spark could be perceived by the aid of the coherer was closely connected with the height of this air-wire or aerial connected to the spark balls and coherer.
1906 J. A. Fleming Princ. Electric Wave Telegr. 152 Spark Voltages for Various Spark Lengths and Spark Balls of Various Diameters.
1924 O. Lodge Harmsworth's Wireless Encycl. III. 1864/2 The object of replacing the pointed ends of the wires by spark balls is to prevent the gradual leaking discharge.
spark chamber n. Physics a form of spark counter in which many closely spaced electrodes are used to enable the path of an ionizing particle to be determined.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > ionizing radiation > [noun] > measuring instrument
ionization chamber1904
ion chamber1922
spark counter1935
spark chamber1961
1961 Rev. Sci. Instruments XXXII. 482/1 The spark chamber is a direct outgrowth of an older detector called the spark counter.
1974 H. Frauenfelder & E. M. Henley Subatomic Physics iv. 56 Spark chambers have many of the advantages of bubble chambers, and they can be triggered.
spark coil n. an induction coil that generates high-voltage pulses from an interrupted low-voltage source, used esp. to energize the sparking plugs in an internal-combustion engine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > [noun] > point of discharge > in internal-combustion engine > coil
spark coil1868
sparking coil1897
ignition coil1900
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > internal-combustion engine > [noun] > parts of > starters > parts of
spark coil1868
sparking coil1897
ignition coil1900
timer1901
point1902
1868 Chem. News 7 Feb. 73/2 Could any one give me information about the dimensions for a Sprengel air pump, and the quantity of mercury required. I wish to use it for exhausting vacuum tubes for a 4-inch spark induction coil.
1900 G. D. Hiscox Horseless Vehicles vii. 121 The Edison spark coil..is a short, thick coil, which will give a hot, bright spark, and yet will have an instantaneous discharge.
1902 How to make Things 3/2 A half-inch spark coil will give very good results.
1922 A. F. Collins Bk. Wireless Telegr. & Telephone i. 6 The spark-coil, or induction coil,..is used to change the battery current into a current of high pressure to make jump sparks.
1971 Sci. Amer. May 86/2 The ordinary automobile spark coil..is the commonest version of the induction coil.
spark counter n. [translating German funkenzähler (H. Greinacher 1935, in Helv. Physica Acta VIII. 266)] Physics a detector for charged particles consisting of two charged electrodes separated by a gas that is ionized by the passage of the particle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > ionizing radiation > [noun] > measuring instrument
ionization chamber1904
ion chamber1922
spark counter1935
spark chamber1961
1935 Sci. Abstr. A. 38 718 The general name ‘spark counter’ is proposed for the new counters devised by the author.
1970 Nucl. Instruments & Methods LXXXVII. 181/1 Cylindrical spark counters have been designed that employ boron nitride disks as converters.
1980 J. W. Hill Intermediate Physics xxiii. 220 (heading) The spark counter.
spark-erode v. (transitive) to machine (a piece) by spark erosion.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > machine
turn?c1335
mill1677
to rough down1829
broach1846
spin1853
plane1875
straddle mill1898
profile1905
jig-bore1939
spark-erode1960
1960 Metal Treatment XXVII. 206/1 When a die showed signs of wear, one must be able to take it out, spark-erode it and replace it.
spark erosion n. Engineering a method of machining metal in which a series of electric sparks is used to remove droplets from the piece; frequently attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > [noun] > machining
milling1613
spinning1857
profiling1888
drilling1894
jig-boring1932
spark machining1954
spark erosion1955
1955 Aircraft Production XVII. 421/1 The process of spark-erosion machining is becoming widely used for special purposes, such as machining holes in tungsten-carbide.
1977 R. B. Ross Handbk. Metal Treatm. 360 Spark erosion is extremely useful where shapes are required in hardened or difficult to machine materials.
1980 West Lancs. Evening Gaz. 4 Jan. 10 (advt.) Familiarity with close tolerance machining and bench work is essential and some experience of spark erosion machining would be an advantage.
spark line n. a spectral line corresponding to an atom in a given state of ionization.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > [noun] > spectrum produced by ionized atom > line corresponding to atom
spark line1879
1879 Proc. Royal Soc. 30 27 The spark lines are in the sun, but the less refrangible member of the wide triplet and the blue line seen in the flame are absent.
1932 Proc. Royal Soc. 134 611 It is proposed to give a complete catalogue of the spark lines of arsenic.
1950 Jrnl. Optical Soc. Amer. 40 180/1 By adjusting the conditions of discharge either arc or spark lines may be made to predominate.
spark machining n. Engineering = spark erosion n. above.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > [noun] > machining
milling1613
spinning1857
profiling1888
drilling1894
jig-boring1932
spark machining1954
spark erosion1955
1954 Engineer 2 July 12/2 Although spark machining may, in theory, be carried out with electrode and workpiece separated only by air, in practice a liquid dielectric is used.
1973 J. G. Tweeddale Materials Technol. II. vi. 152 Spark machining is applicable only to electrically conducting materials.
spark-prop n. Criminals' slang a diamond pin, a tie-pin.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > brooch or pin > [noun] > worn on specific article of clothing
tasselc1330
shirt pin1775
tie-pin1780
prop1850
scarf-pin1859
spark-prop1879
1879 Macmillan's Mag. Oct. 506/1 My pal said, ‘Pipe his spark prop’ (diamond pin).
1923 J. C. Goodwin Sidelights on Criminal Matters iii. 32 To steal a tie-pin, or ‘spark prop’ as it is termed in the slang of thieves, [etc.].
spark spectrum n. a spectrum produced by an atom in a given state of ionization, commonly excited under laboratory conditions by an electric spark.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > decomposition of light, spectrum > [noun] > spectrum produced by ionized atom
spark spectrum1873
1873 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 163 266 (table) The spark-spectrum of the chloride.
1879 J. N. Lockyer in Proc. Royal Soc. 30 27 Flame Spectrum... Spark Spectrum.
1905 E. C. C. Baly Spectrosc. 374 The induction coil is used..for the production of the so-called spark spectra of substances.
1970 G. K. Woodgate Elem. Atomic Struct. vi. 105 Na I is also called the arc spectrum of sodium, Mg II the first spark spectrum of magnesium and Al III the second spark spectrum of aluminium.
spark telegram n.
ΚΠ
1898 Ludgate 7 78/2 Nor is this the greatest distance over which these ‘spark telegrams’ have been sent.
spark telegraph n.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telegraphy > telegraph > [noun] > types of > radio-telegraphs
wireless telegraph1895
Marconigraph1902
radio-telegraph1903
radiograph1904
spark telegraph1934
rig1935
radioteletype1939
RT1941
1934 A. L. Albert Electr. Communication xv. 426/1 (caption) The generation of damped waves with a spark telegraph set.
spark telegraphy n. an early method of radio-telegraphy in which high-frequency oscillations are set up in a transmitting aerial by the discharge of a highly charged capacitor through a spark gap in series with an inductance connected to the aerial.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telegraphy > [noun] > types or systems of > radio-telegraphy
space telegraphy1897
wireless telegraphy1897
radio-telegraphy1898
spark telegraphy1898
wireless1899
marconigraphy1902
Marconism1903
radiography1904
W/T1914
spark1921
1898 Ludgate VII. 78/1 Mr. Marconi, in July, 1897, came to England to introduce his new plan of ‘Spark Telegraphy’.
1908 Rep. Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 1907 730 A movement which much more nearly corresponds with the actual current in the vertical wire as used in spark telegraphy.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sparkn.2
/spɑːk/, U.S. /spɑrk/ 1. A woman of great beauty, elegance, or wit.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person > beautiful person > beautiful woman
clearc1330
comelya1375
wlonk?a1400
brightc1400
gayc1400
sheenc1400
violet1412
berylc1440
blossomc1440
bonnya1529
pertc1540
bonylasse1546
Venus?1572
spark1575
bellibone1579
bonnibel1579
nymph1584
cheruba1616
lily1622
bellea1640
fine1639
toast1700
houri1745
belle dame1768
peri1813
beauty queen1835
stallion1970
1575 R. B. Apius & Virginia sig. Aijv But stay, behold the peerelesse sparks wherof my tongue dyd talke, Approch.
1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares i. sig. B3v I will wed thee To my great widdowes Daughter and sole Heire, The louely sparke, the bright Laodice.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode i. i. 8 The Vizard is a spark, and has a Genius that Makes her worthy of your self, Dorimant.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iii. 181 The poor mutilated figure, once The gay and glancing fortunate young spark, Miranda.
2.
a. A young man of an elegant or foppish character; one who affects smartness or display in dress and manners. Chiefly in more or less depreciatory use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > dandy
popa1500
miniona1513
prick-me-daintya1529
puppy?1544
velvet-coat1549
skipjack1554
coxcomb1567
musk cat?1567
physbuttocke1570
Adonis?1571
Adon1590
foretop1597
musk-cod1600
pretty fellow1600
sparkc1600
spangle-baby1602
flash1605
barber-monger1608
cocoloch1610
dapperling1611
fantastica1613
feather-cock1612
trig1612
jack-a-dandy?1617
gimcrack1623
satinist1639
powder puffa1653
fop1676
prig1676
foplinga1681
cockcomb1684
beau garçona1687
shape1688
duke1699
nab1699
smirk1699
beau1700
petty master1706
moppet1707
Tom Astoner1707
dapper1709
petit maître1711
buck1725
toupee1727
toupet1728
toupet-man1748
jemmy1753
jessamy1753
macaroni1764
majoc1770
monkeyrony1773
dandyc1780
elegant1780
muscadin1794
incroyable1797
beauty man1800
bang-up1811
natty1818
ruffian1818
exquisite1819
heavy swell1819
marvellous1819
bit of stuff1828
merveilleux1830
fat1832
squirt1844
dandyling1846
ineffable1859
guinea pig1860
Dundreary swell1862
masher1872
dude1877
mash1879
dudette1883
dand1886
heavy gunner1890
posh1890
nut1904
smoothie1929
fancy-pants1930
saga boy1941
fancy Dan1943
c1600 Timon (1980) ii. iii. 28 Theis noble sparkes desires your company.
1627 N. Burley in J. Smith Sea Gram. sig. A4 The Galley Iason built, that Græcian sparke.
1685 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) I. 339 Mr. Cradock the mercer, a highflown spark, died lately of a St. Anthonies fire.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 20 These Sparks with aukward Vanity display What the fine Gentlemen wore Yesterday.
1787 ‘P. Pindar’ Lyric Odes to Royal Academicians (ed. 5) ix. 25 Some young roving military Spark.
1818 Sporting Mag. (N.S.) 2 170 Another dapper spark took the place of the prosecutor.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond III. iii. 70 She invited the agreeable young spark to visit her if ever he came to London.
1883 J. Gilmour Among Mongols xix. 251 The young spark did not relish his rebuke much, but he did not dare to disobey.
b. Used with my (see my adj. 1c).
ΚΠ
1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer Relation Two Voy. E.-Indies 207 When I came to go, I found my Spark gone, and was told he was gone off half an Hour before.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 2. ⁋1 How~ever, my young Spark ventures upon her like a Man of Quality.
1778 F. Burney Evelina III. xxi. 247 Hark'ee, my spark, none of your grinning!
3. A beau, lover, or suitor. Frequently with possessive pronoun.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > male lover
servantc1405
specialc1425
servitorc1450
love-lad1586
young man1589
inamorato1592
swainc1592
gentleman friend1667
enamorado1677
spark1707
beau?1720
Johnny1726
man friend1736
feller1842
novio1843
soupirant1849
fella1874
man1874
fellow1878
square-pusher1890
stud1895
papa1896
lover mana1905
boyfriend1906
daddy1912
lover-boy1925
sheikh1925
sweetback1929
sweet man1942
older man1951
boyf1990
1707 G. Farquhar Beaux Stratagem iv. 50 Had my Spark call'd me a Venus directly, I shou'd have believ'd him a Footman in good earnest.
1747 B. Hoadly Suspicious Husband ii. i I and my Spark have been long acquainted.
1812 G. Crabbe Tales iv. 72 Am I forsaken for a trimmer spark?
1839 F. Marryat Diary in Amer. I. 141 The first time I ever heard ladies complain of having too many sparks about them.
1871 R. Browning Balaustion 95 The poor poltroon A very woman worsted, daring death Just for the sake of thee, her handsome spark?
4. attributive, as spark spirit, spark wit.
ΚΠ
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida v. sig. H4 Sparke spirit, how like you his voice?
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 238 Your sparke wits, ripe heads, experience and abilities.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sparkn.3
south-western dialect.
‘A spotted or parti-coloured bullock.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > bull > [noun] > castrated or bullock > with specific features
spark1798
poley1843
mickey1876
snaily1884
mick1894
1798 Ann. Agric. 30 314 He objects to sparks.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Spark, a spotted or parti-coloured bullock.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
sparkv.1
/spɑːk/, U.S. /spɑrk/ 1.
a. intransitive. To emit or give forth a spark or sparks; to sparkle; spec., to produce or emit an electric spark or sparks by ionization of the medium separating two conductors at different potentials. Also transferred and figurative to spark on all cylinders = to function (etc.) cylinder n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [verb (intransitive)] > sparkle or glitter
twinklec888
shimc950
blika1000
glisec1000
glistenc1000
glista1225
glore13..
sparkc1300
glisterc1380
sparklec1386
spranklea1387
glittera1400
sprinklea1400
blikenc1400
glaster1447
springlec1460
sprangle1495
brandish1552
pink1589
scintillate1623
simper1633
twink1637
spangle1639
scintill1681
scintillize1694
prinkle1724
skinkle1765
winkle1791
coruscate1807
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > fire or flame > become fire [verb (intransitive)] > emit sparks
sparkc1300
sparkle1481
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > of discharge: come into being [verb (intransitive)] > emit sparks
strike1777
spark1884
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 2144 It sparkede, and ful brith shon, So doth þe gode charbucle ston.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvii. cxlix Þornes..beþ sone itende in þe fuyre..and sparkeþ and crakkeþ and makeþ moche noyse.
c1460 Promptorium Parvulorum (Winch.) 462 Sparkyn, sintillo.
1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes xxviii. sig. Biiv I neuer heard thy fyre once sparke.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Estinceller, to sparke, to sparkle, as fire.
1763 C. Berkeley in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) I. 244 Her temper is like charcoal, which kindles soon, and sparks to the top of the house.
1884 S. P. Thompson Dynamo-electr. Machinery 60 Any dynamo in which the curve of potentials at the commutator presented such irregularities..would probably spark excessively at the collector.
1905 T. H. Hawley Motor Ignition Appliances iv. 20 If our charge fails to explode or the plug to spark, the fault must usually be sought for elsewhere.
1926 R. W. Hutchinson First Course Wireless 112 The spark gap consists of two small spheres sparking across the diameters of two larger ones.
1967 L. Bacon in L. Holmes Odhams New Motor Man. iii. 81 One simple check can clear the whole of the ignition circuit—are the plugs sparking?
1977 M. Hinxman One-way Cemetery viii. 55 John realized his inspector was sparking on all cylinders. He looked a damned sight fresher than Waller felt.
b. transferred. Of the eyes, or in reference to these.
ΚΠ
1595 E. Spenser Amoretti lxxxi, in Amoretti & Epithalamion sig. F2 Fayre is my loue, when..in her eyes the fyre of loue does sparke.
1631 F. Quarles Hist. Samson xix Her eyes did sparke, At every glance, like Diamonds in the darke.
1827 T. Hood Hero & Leander ix, in Plea Midsummer Fairies & Other Poems 72 Their cheeks are white.., And those fair mirrors where their joys did spark, All dim.
c. With over. To be crossed or connected by a spark as a result of a breakdown in insulation. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > of discharge: come into being [verb (intransitive)] > be connected by a spark
spark1915
1915 Standardization Rules Amer. Inst. Electr. Engineers 48 The voltage at which a given gap sparks over is found by taking the voltage corresponding to the spacing..and multiplying by the correction factor.
1966 R. Ardrey Territorial Imperative iii. 88 When antagonists face each other..inhibited from further attack..their energy..‘sparks over’—another ethologist's term—into a third instinctual channel which will cause no damage.
1974 Sci. Amer. Feb. 78/2 Since the magnets were not designed to work under water many of them sparked over and failed when power was fed into them.
2.
a. To issue, come forth, fall, etc., as or in the manner of sparks. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [verb (intransitive)] > sparkle or glitter > sparkle forth
spark1513
disparkle1648
sparkle1833
spark1889
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > violently > in drops or small particles
sparklea1200
spark1513
spatter1600
spit1611
spurtle1651
spark1833
splurta1849
spurt1854
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. viii. 132 The blak laithly smuke..With gledis sperkand as the haill als thik.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule 13 The sunlight that..sparked on his teeth when he laughed.
1897 S. R. Crockett Lads' Love viii. 74 The anger fair sparked and blazed from her dark, indignant eyes.
b. With adverbs, as off, out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > violently > in drops or small particles
sparklea1200
spark1513
spatter1600
spit1611
spurtle1651
spark1833
splurta1849
spurt1854
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [verb (intransitive)] > sparkle or glitter > sparkle forth
spark1513
disparkle1648
sparkle1833
spark1889
1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle's Log I. iii. 118 Every now and then a flying fish would spark out from the unruffled bosom of the heaving water.
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 11 Nov. 6/1 If the phosphorus ‘sparks’ off, as it is apt to do.
c. To go out, be extinguished, like sparks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > non-existence > be non-existent [verb (intransitive)] > end or cease to exist
tirec725
endOE
forfareOE
goc1175
fleec1200
to wend awayc1225
diea1240
to-melta1240
to pass awaya1325
flit1340
perishc1350
vanisha1375
decorre1377
cease1382
dispend1393
failc1400
overshakec1425
surcease1439
adrawc1450
fall1523
decease1538
define1562
fleet1576
expire1595
evanish1597
extinguish1599
extirp1606
disappear1623
evaporatea1631
trans-shift1648
annihilate1656
exolve1657
cancela1667
to pass off1699
to burn out, forth1832
spark1845
to die out1853
to come, go, etc. by the board1859
sputter1964
1845 P. J. Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 268 These have died, are dying, and shall die; Yea, copyists shall die, spark out and out.
3. transitive.
a. To send out, or emit, in or as sparks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [verb (transitive)] > emit (fire, etc.) as or like sparks
twinklea1547
sparkle1590
spark1596
scintillate1809
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > particles or sparks
spattera1586
sparkle1590
spark1596
sputter1598
spirtle1612
spatter1721
splatter1786
splutter1835
spurtle1858
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene vi. xi. sig. Ii2v To sparke out litle beames, like starres in foggie night. View more context for this quotation
1611 T. Heywood Golden Age iii. sig. F3 Threaten your worst, let all your eyes sparke fire!
b. To illuminate or enlighten feebly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > illumination > illuminate [verb (transitive)] > feebly
spark1835
1835 E. Elliott Poems III. 77 Oh, God of terrors! what are we?—Poor insects, spark'd with thought!
c. To affect, act or operate upon, by the emission or transmission of electrical sparks. Also absol., to send a spark across, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > discharge of electricity > discharge [verb (transitive)] > affect by sparking
spark1889
1889 London, Edinb., & Dublin Philos. Mag. 5th Ser. 27 339 Whenever a large Leyden jar is sparked through the coil.
1895 Daily Chron. 13 Apr. 3/5 Professor Ramsay saw..that he had some gas, and was eager to ‘spark’ it.
1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 1 July 14 Whenever this [gap] is sparked across, the tube is softened slightly by the regulator.
d. figurative. To fire, to inspire; to kindle, to set in motion; to spark off, to be the immediate cause of (something hard to control). Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > initiating or causing to begin > initiate [verb (transitive)]
beginc1175
baptizec1384
to set a (on) broachc1440
open1471
to set abroachc1475
entame1477
to set afloat1559
initiate1604
first1607
principiate1613
to set afoot or on foot1615
unclap1621
inchoatea1631
flush1633
to set on1638
principatec1650
rudiment1654
auspicate1660
embryonate1666
to strike up1711
start1723
institutea1797
float1833
spark1912
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > trigger or spark
to touch off1842
trigger1930
to spark off1957
1912 L. J. Vance Destroying Angel ii. 21 Abrupt inspiration sparked the imagination of Peter Stark, and he began to sputter with enthusiasm.
1941 Sun (Baltimore) 24 Apr. 15/2 He is the type [of ballplayer] that sparks an infield and hustles all of the time.
1947 Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch 1 Dec. 10/1 We hope that circumstances which might well spark another world conflict will not rise in Palestine.
1957 Economist 26 Oct. 287/2 Any encroachment on vital western interests is liable to spark off the sort of war that would incinerate communism along with communists.
1962 Listener 4 Oct. 501/1 A story has come out of California and sparked the November election campaign, which is now beginning to smoulder and crackle.
1964 Ann. Reg. 1963 100 The final decision to end Federation sparked off immediately a new constitutional controversy.
1970 S. L. Barraclough in I. L. Horowitz Masses in Lat. Amer. iv. 158 The more widely distributed post-reform incomes help spark development by changing propensities to invest.
1978 Dumfries Courier 20 Oct. 5/1 The club has taken no stand against this sort of behaviour, which can spark off bad behaviour among the spectators.
1979 IEEE Trans. Professional Communication XXII. 70/1 Man has always been intrigued by the elusive nature of the brain mechanisms which spark new and unexpected ideas to solve problems.
1981 Times 24 July 23/1 Stocks on the New York Stock Exchange closed higher due to a late afternoon rally, sparked by bargain hunting among oil stocks and blue chip issues.
4. Scottish and northern dialect.
a. To spatter (dirt, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > sprinkle
warpc1000
sprengeOE
strenkc1175
springa1387
bespring1387
sprinkc1390
sprinklea1400
strinklec1400
springle?a1425
sprinkle?a1425
sprainc1440
bespreng1496
oversprinkle?1548
overstrew1570
besprent1573
insperse1587
insperge1599
asperse1607
besprink1609
disparple?1615
spark1637
swiggle1683
twirl1763
sparkle1787
bespatter1813
spray1829
1637 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. clxiii. 379 My desire is to ride fair and not to spark dirt..in the face of my..well-beloved.
b. To bespatter or spot with mud, etc. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > dirt > soiled condition > soil [verb (transitive)] > splash or splatter
slotterc1340
again-sprengea1382
resperse1482
besparkle1485
besperple1529
dash1530
bespattle1551
slobber1554
bespurt1579
besquatter1611
besquirt1611
bespurtle1616
bespatter1674
splash1699
spatter1718
spark1806
spluttera1869
splatter1888
1806 Douglas Poems 81 Young lasses' fame, my dainty joe, Is unco easy sparkit.
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Addit. To Spark,..to soil by throwing up small spots of mire.
1894 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words (at cited word) The coach gan past sparkt us.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
sparkv.2
/spɑːk/, U.S. /spɑrk/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > make ostentatious display or show off [verb (intransitive)]
brandishc1340
ruffle1484
braga1556
swash1556
flourish1563
flaunt1566
prank1567
prink1573
to shake, wag the feather1581
peacockize1598
air1605
display1608
to launch it out1608
flasha1616
to cut it out1619
flare1633
vapour1652
peacock1654
spark1676
to gallantrize it1693
bosh1709
glare1712
to cut a bosh1726
to show away1728
to figure away, off1749
parade1749
to cut a dashc1771
dash1786
to cut up1787
to cut a flash1795
to make, or cut, a splash1804
swank1809
to come out strong1825
to cut a spludge1831
to cut it (too) fat1836
pavonize1838
splurge1844
to do the grand1847
to cut a swath1848
to cut a splurge1860
to fan out1860
spread1860
skyre1871
fluster1876
to strut one's stuff1926
showboat1937
floss1938
style1968
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > specific classes of common people > fashionable society > be in fashionable society [verb (intransitive)] > behave as member of
spark1676
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode i. i. 16 That she may spark it in a Box, And do honour to her profession.
1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia i. i. 4 Enough [money] to set thee up to Spark it in thy Brothers face.
1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. 164 To purchase..a back place in their Coach, that they may spark it in the Prado.
2.
a. U.S. To engage in courtship; to play the suitor, wooer, or beau. Also with it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > court or engage in courtship [verb (intransitive)]
to make love1567
address1677
to keep company (with)1725
suitor1777
spark1807
pitch1903
to pitch (the) woo1935
1807 Salmagundi 1 Oct. 312 Whenever he went a sparking among the rosy country girls of the neighbouring farms.
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms 322 (with quots.).
1867 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 2nd Ser. (new ed.) p. lx He'd sparked it with full twenty gals.
1884 Harper's Mag. Feb. 410/2 He used to go sparkin' round among the girls.
b. transitive. To make love or pay attentions to; to court.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > court or woo [verb (transitive)]
wooc1290
court1580
suitc1586
accourt1590
suitor1672
address1700
gallantize1728
philander1787
to stick up1830
spark1888
romance1931
lumber1938
1888 A. C. Gunter Mr. Potter xiv. 176 I've heard as how young Errol is a sparking your daughter.
1893 Harper's Mag. Feb. 372/2 The parents..sit in the room while he ‘sparks’ the ravisher of his heart.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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