Spark
[spɑːk] or [spɑrk]
Definition
(noun.) a small fragment of a burning substance thrown out by burning material or by friction.
(noun.) Scottish writer of satirical novels (born in 1918).
(noun.) a small but noticeable trace of some quality that might become stronger; 'a spark of interest'; 'a spark of decency'.
(verb.) emit or produce sparks; 'A high tension wire, brought down by a storm, can continue to spark'.
Editor: Olivia--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion.
(n.) A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
(n.) That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle.
(n.) A brisk, showy, gay man.
(n.) A lover; a gallant; a beau.
(v. i.) To sparkle.
(v. i.) To play the spark, beau, or lover.
Typist: Sol
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Sparkle, scintillation, particle of fire, scintilla.[2]. Germ, element, active principle.[3]. Gallant, beau, buck; gay, dashing fellow.
Edited by Jacqueline
Definition
n. a small ignited particle shot off from a burning body: any small shining body or light: a small portion of anything active or vivid: a gay sprightly person a lover a beau.—v.i. to emit sparks: to play the gallant.—adj. Spark′ish gay jaunty showy.
Checked by Kathy
Examples
- And the twilight, as she now sought to pierce it, was gradually lighted by a faint spark of reassurance. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- He now presented his knuckle to the key, and received a strong spark. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed? Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- The spark remained stationary for a moment, then moved back again in the direction from which it had advanced. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Professor Hertz proved in 1888 that a spark, or disruptive discharge of electricity, caused electro-magnetic waves to radiate away in all directions through the ether. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Next morning's papers explained that it was but some loose drapery on which a spark had fallen, and which had blazed up and been quenched in a moment. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- He also by use of the electric spark caused the oxygen and nitrogen of the air to unite to form nitric acid. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- As there was no limit to the distance that electricity would travel there seemed no reason why these dots and dashes, or sparks and spaces, should not be sent all around the world. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- By connecting X to the gas-pipe we drew sparks from the gas-pipes in any part of the room by drawing an iron wire over the brass jet of the cock. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The engines and dynamos made a horrible racket, from loud and deep groans to a hideous shriek, and the place seemed to be filled with sparks and flames of all colors. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The tinder was damp,--no wonder there,--and one after another the sparks died out. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Mr Boffin took his nose in his hand, as if it were already excoriated, and the sparks were beginning to fly out of that feature. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- No gleam of fire, no glittering shower of sparks, no roar of bellows; all shut up, and still. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The same effect would be produced if the disc, during its rotation, were seen by successive electric sparks. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- This mixture is ignited by an automatic, electric sparking device, and the explosion of the gases drives the piston _P_ to the right. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- Cuneus, a pupil of Muschenbroeck, was one day trying to charge some water in a glass bottle with electricity by connecting it with a chain to the sparking knob of an electrical machine. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
Checked by Gardner