spark´less

spark¹ «spahrk», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a small bit of fire: »

The burning wood threw off sparks.

2. a) the flash given off when electricity jumps across an open space. An electric spark ignites the gas in the engine of an automobile. b) the discharge itself. c) the discharge in a spark plug. d) the mechanism generating and controlling this discharge. e) = spark transmitter. (Cf. ↑spark transmitter) f) = spark transmission. (Cf. ↑spark transmission)

3. a bright flash; gleam; sparkle: »

We saw a spark of light through the trees.

4. Figurative. a small amount; trace; indication: »

I haven't a spark of interest in the plan. They still kept alive the sparks of future friendship (Washington Irving).

5. Figurative. a trace (of life or vitality): »

O speak, if any spark of life remain (Thomas Kyd).

6. a glittering bit: »

The moving sparks we saw were fireflies.

–v.i.

1. to send out small bits of fire; produce sparks: »

This wood burns steadily with no sparking (William O. Douglas).

2. to flash; gleam; sparkle: »

Figurative. Her eyes did spark, at every glance, like diamonds in the dark (Francis Quarles).

3. to issue or fall as or like sparks.

4. to operate properly in forming sparks, as the ignition in an internal-combustion engine.

–v.t.

1. to stir to activity; stimulate: »

to spark a revolt, to spark sales.

SYNONYM(S): animate, excite.

2. to make (one's friends, teammates, or associates) enthusiastic or determined.

╂[Old English spearca]

–spark´less, adjective.

spark² «spahrk», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a gay and showy young man: »

A fop came…a fine spark, and gave them fine words (Stanley J. Weyman).

SYNONYM(S): dandy.

2. a beau; lover: »

A…woman…daring death just for the sake of thee, her handsome spark! (Robert Browning).

–v.t., v.i.

Informal. to court; woo: »

His master was courting, or, as it is termed, "sparking' within (Washington Irving).

╂[earlier, a beauty, a wit, perhaps special use of spark¹]

–spark´er, noun.