Lexic.us

Definition of Spark

1. Verb. Put in motion or move to act. "Actuate the circuits"

2. Noun. A momentary flash of light.

3. Verb. Emit or produce sparks. "A high tension wire, brought down by a storm, can continue to spark"

4. Noun. Merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance. "There's a perpetual twinkle in his eyes"

5. Noun. Electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field.

6. Noun. A small but noticeable trace of some quality that might become stronger. "A spark of decency"

7. Noun. Scottish writer of satirical novels (born in 1918).

8. Noun. A small fragment of a burning substance thrown out by burning material or by friction.

Definition of Spark

1. n. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion.

2. n. A brisk, showy, gay man.

3. v. i. To sparkle.

4. v. i. To play the spark, beau, or lover.

5. v. i. To produce, or give off, sparks, as a dynamo at the commutator when revolving under the collecting brushes.

Definition of Spark

1. Noun. A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire. ¹

2. Noun. A short or small burst of electrical discharge. ¹

3. Noun. (figuratively) A small amount of something, such as an idea, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire. ¹

4. Noun. (''in plural'' '''sparks''' ''but treated as a singular'') A ship's radio operator. ¹

5. Noun. (UK slang) An electrician. ¹

6. Verb. (transitive) To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc). ¹

7. Verb. (intransitive) To give off a spark or sparks. ¹

8. Noun. A gallant, a foppish young man ¹

9. Noun. A beau, lover ¹

10. Verb. To woo, court ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Spark

1. to give off sparks (small fiery particles) [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Spark

1. 1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion. "Man is born unto trouble, as hte sparks fly upward." (Job v. 7) 2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle. 3. That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle. "If any spark of life be yet remaining." "Small intellectual spark." "Vital spark of heavenly flame." "We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge." (Locke) "Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark." (Wordsworth) Spark arrester, a contrivance to prevent the escape of sparks while it allows the passage of gas, chiefly used in the smokestack of a wood-burning locomotive. Called also spark consumer. Origin: OE. Sparke, AS. Spearca; akin to D. Spark, sperk; cf. Icel. Spraka to crackle, Lith. Sprageti, Gr. A bursting with a noise, Skr. Sphrj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Speak. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spark

spargefactions sparger spargers sparges sparging sparhawk sparhawks sparid sparid fish sparids

sparing sparing action sparing phenomenon sparingly sparingness spark (current term) spark advance spark arrester spark chamber spark coil

spark counter spark gap spark gaps spark knock spark knocks spark lever spark off spark plug spark plugs spark spread

Literary usage of Spark

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Journal by Chartered Insurance Institute (1897)
"The velocity of the luminous mass varies according to circumstances ; and with high velocities the spark, viewed directly, will not appear to differ from an ..."

2. A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism by James Clerk Maxwell (1873)
"The Electric spark. 57.] When the tension in the space between two conductors is considerable all the way between them, as in the case of two balls whose ..."

3. Transactions of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers by American Institute of Electrical Engineers (1913)
"By AIEE THE SPHERE spark GAP HY SW FARNSWORTH AND CL FORTESCUE For many years the ... Numerous investigators have made calibration curves for the spark gap ..."

4. An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1893)
"SPRAK = Aryan V SPARG, to crack, split, crackle; see spark (i), Speak, the word to spring is frequently applied in ME poetry to the leaping forth of a spark ..."

5. Practical Wireless Telegraphy: A Complete Text Book for Students of Radio by Elmer Eustice Bucher (1917)
"Principal among these are the various types of spark gaps, condensers, ... spark Dischargers for Radio-Telegraphy.—The functions of the spark gap in a ..."

6. Handbook of Ship Calculations, Construction and Operation: A Book of by Charles Haynes Hughes (1917)
"The advantage of a high tension magneto is that a hot spark is generated ... spark plugs are for igniting the explosive mixture in the combustion chamber. ..."

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