spark
pronunciation
How to pronounce spark in British English:
UK [spɑːk]
How to pronounce spark in American English:
US [spɑːrk]
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- Noun:
- a momentary flash of light
- brightness and animation of countenance
- electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
- a small but noticeable trace of some quality that might become stronger
- a small fragment of a burning substance thrown out by burning material or by friction
-
- Verb:
- put in motion or move to act
- emit or produce sparks
Word Origin
- spark (n.)
- Old English spearca "glowing or fiery particle thrown off," from Proto-Germanic *spark- (cognates: Middle Low German sparke, Middle Dutch spranke, not found in other Germanic languages). Electrical sense dates from 1748. Old French esparque is from Germanic. Slang sense of "a gallant, a showy beau, a roisterer" (c. 1600) is perhaps a figurative use, but also perhaps from cognate Old Norse sparkr "lively." Spark plug first recorded 1902 (sparking plug is from 1899); figurative sense of "one who initiates or is a driving force in some activity" is from 1941.
- spark (v.)
- c. 1200, "to emit sparks," from spark (n.). Meaning "to affect by an electrical spark" is from 1889. Figurative meaning "stimulate, to trigger" first attested 1912. Meaning "to play the gallant, to court" is from the 17c. secondary sense of the noun. Related: Sparked; sparking.
Example
- 1. Rekindling the spark in a marriage may seem impossible .
- 2. I well remember the very evening that generated that spark .
- 3. The team is in discussions with a spark plug manufacturer .
- 4. The kids are super smart but don 't have that spark .
- 5. His ambition was to spark debate and help to change the industry .