*spark*

v. t. [ OF. desparpeillier. ] To scatter abroad. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A spark produced by the jumping of electricity across a permanent gap. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. To exceed in sparkling. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sparkled p. pr. & vb. n. Sparkling ] [ See Sparkle, n., Spark of fire. ] 1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle. [ 1913 Webster ]

A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging
Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash. [ 1913 Webster ]

I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as, sparkling wine. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To shine; glisten; scintillate; radiate; coruscate; glitter; twinkle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To emit in the form or likeness of sparks. “Did sparkle forth great light.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. Sparble. ] 1. To disperse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The Landgrave hath sparkled his army without any further enterprise. State Papers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To scatter on or over. [ Obs. ] Purchas. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who scatters; esp., one who scatters money; an improvident person. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, sparkles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) A tiger beetle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A small spark. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Vivacity. [ Obs. ] Aubrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Emitting sparks; glittering; flashing; brilliant; lively; as, sparkling wine; sparkling eyes. -- Spar"kling*ly, adv. -- Spar"kling*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Brilliant; shining. See Shining. [ 1913 Webster ]