n. [ OE. sparke, AS. spearca; akin to D. spark, sperk; cf. Icel. spraka to crackle, Lith. spragëti, Gr. &unr_; a bursting with a noise, Skr. sph&unr_;rj to crackle, to thunder. Cf. Speak. ] 1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is emitted by a body in combustion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job v. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle. [ 1913 Webster ]

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.” Shak. “Small intellectual spark.” Macaulay. “Vital spark of heavenly flame.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Icel. sparkr lively, sprightly. ] 1. A brisk, showy, gay man. [ 1913 Webster ]

The finest sparks and cleanest beaux. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A lover; a gallant; a beau. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To sparkle. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Elec.) To produce, or give off, sparks, as a dynamo at the commutator when revolving under the collecting brushes. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. i. To play the spark, beau, or lover. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sure sign that his master was courting, or, as it is termed, sparking, within. W. Irwing. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Elec.) (a) An induction coil used for producing sparks, esp. in an internal-combustion engine, wireless telegraph apparatus, etc. (b) A self-induction coil used to increase the spark in an electric gas-lighting apparatus. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A spark arrester. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Lively; brisk; gay. [ Obs. ] “Our sparkful youth.” Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Elec.) The space filled with air or other dielectric between high potential terminals (as of an electrostatic machine, induction coil, or condenser), through which the discharge passes; the air gap of a jump spark. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. 1. Like a spark; airy; gay. W. Walsh. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Showy; well-dresed; fine. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Dim. of spark. ] 1. A little spark; a scintillation. [ 1913 Webster ]

As fire is wont to quicken and go
From a sparkle sprungen amiss,
Till a city brent up is. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Brilliancy; luster; as, the sparkle of a diamond. [ 1913 Webster ]