Spark (n)
From the American Heritage Dictionary
v., sparked, sparkĀ·ing, sparks. v.intr.
- An incandescent particle, especially:
- One thrown off from a burning substance.
- One resulting from friction.
- One remaining in an otherwise extinguished fire; an ember.
- A glistening particle, as of metal.
- A flash of light, especially a flash produced by electric discharge.
- A short pulse or flow of electric current.
- A trace or suggestion, as:
- A quality or feeling with latent potential; a seed or germ: the spark of genius.
- A vital, animating, or activating factor: the spark of revolution.
- sparks (used with a sing. verb) Informal. A radio operator aboard a ship.
- Electricity.
- The luminous phenomenon resulting from a disruptive discharge through an insulating material.
- The discharge itself.
v., sparked, sparkĀ·ing, sparks. v.intr.
- To give off sparks.
- To give an enthusiastic response.
- To operate correctly. Used of the ignition system of an internal-combustion engine.
- To set in motion; activate: The incident sparked a controversy.
- To rouse to action; spur: A cheering crowd sparked the runner to triumph.
[Middle English sparke, from Old English spearca. V., from Middle English sparken, from Old English spearcian.]