释义 |
spark I. \ˈspärk, -pȧk\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English sperke, sparke, from Old English spearca, spærca; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German sparke spark, Latin spargere to scatter, strew, Greek spargan to swell, Sanskrit sphūrjati it bursts forth, appears 1. a. : a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed < sparks from a fire > b. : a hot glowing particle heated by friction and struck out at the impact of two hard objects (as flint and steel) 2. a. : a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by air or other gas b. : a small arc of short duration (as often at dynamo brushes) c. : the discharge in a spark plug d. : the mechanism (as a button or lever) controlling the discharge in a spark plug 3. a. : a very small glittering body or surface or a transient flash of reflected light : sparkle b. : a very small gem : sparkler; specifically : diamond 4. : something that ignites or sets off an explosion, conflagration, or other manifestation of suddenly released force < spark that set off the rebellion > 5. : a latent particle or vestige of some quality or capability having possibilities of growth or development : germ < discern the spark of promise … the barb of fruitful controversy — August Fruge > < a spark of decency still remained in him > < lacking the least spark of wit or grace > < vital spark in a man that makes him an artist — Philip Mason > 6. sparks plural but singular in construction : a radio operator on a ship 7. : spark transmitter 8. : a person interested in fires and fire fighting : buff 7a 9. : geranium lake 2 II. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English sparken; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German sparken to spark, sparkle, Old English spearca spark — more at spark I intransitive verb 1. a. : to throw out sparks : sparkle < the damp wood crackled and sparked > < her eyes sparking with fury > b. : to flash out or fall like sparks < fireflies sparking in the gathering darkness > 2. : to produce sparks : convert electrical energy into light and heat by ionization of the air or gas that separates the electrodes (as of a dynamo or a spark plug) 3. : to respond with enthusiasm or ready acceptance < sparked to the idea of an early wedding date > transitive verb 1. : to set off in a burst of activity : activate < these kindred spirits, articulate men with hair-trigger minds, spark the president's thinking — Raymond Clapper > 2. : to stir into intense or sustained activity : inspire with zeal and energy : incite, stimulate < a player sparks his team to victory > < his hit sparked a rally that brought in four runs > < the discovery sparked the police to fresh activity > 3. chiefly Scotland : spatter, soil III. adjective Etymology: spark (I) : of or relating to radio communication carried on with a spark transmitter < spark set > < spark station > IV. noun (-s) Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sparkr lively, sprightly; perhaps akin to Old English spearca spark — more at spark 1. : a young, beautiful, witty woman 2. a. : a brisk showy gay man : blade, gallant b. : a hot-tempered person 3. : lover, beau V. verb (-ed/-ing/-s) transitive verb 1. obsolete : show off — used with it 2. : woo, court < the railroad didn't pay him to spark a girl on its time — T.W.Duncan > intransitive verb : to engage in courting : go together as sweethearts |