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spark

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The definition of a spark is a small burst of fire that comes off of a main fire, a person with a fiery personality, or the small seeds of some intense feeling or emotion.

(noun)

An example of a spark is a small fiery ball that comes off of a wood burning fire, lands on the floor and goes out.
An example of a spark is a young lively child.
An example of a spark is when you begin to feel a little bit curious about something.

To spark is to emit little electrical currents or signals, or to emit little bursts of fire or light.

(verb)

An example of spark is when a broken extension cord has little bursts of electricity coming out of the broken wires.

See spark in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a glowing bit of matter, esp. one thrown off by a fire
any flash or sparkle of light like this
a tiny beginning or vestige, as of life, interest, excitement, etc.; particle or trace
liveliness; vivacity
Elec.
1. a very brief flash of light accompanying an electric discharge through air or some other insulating material, as between the electrodes of a spark plug
2. such a discharge
☆ Slang a ship's radio operator

Origin: ME sperke < OE spearca, akin to MDu sparke < IE base *sp(h)er(e)-g-, to strew, sprinkle > sprinkle, L spargere

intransitive verb

to make or throw off sparks
to come forth as or like sparks
to produce the sparks properly: said of the spark plug in an internal combustion engine

transitive verb

to serve as the activating or animating influence of or in; stir up; activate: to spark interest

Related Forms:

sparker noun

noun

a dashing, gallant young man
a beau or lover

Origin: ON sparkr, lively: for IE base see spark

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Informal to court, woo, pet, etc.

Related Forms:

sparker noun

Spark, Dame Muriel (Sarah) (born Muriel Sarah Camberg) 1918-2006; Brit. writer

See spark in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An incandescent particle, especially:
a. One thrown off from a burning substance.
b. One resulting from friction.
c. One remaining in an otherwise extinguished fire; an ember.
A glistening particle, as of metal.
a. A flash of light, especially a flash produced by electric discharge.
b. A short pulse or flow of electric current.
A trace or suggestion, as:
a. A quality or feeling with latent potential; a seed or germ: the spark of genius.
b. A vital, animating, or activating factor: the spark of revolution.
sparks (used with a sing. verb) Informal A radio operator aboard a ship.
Electricity
a. The luminous phenomenon resulting from a disruptive discharge through an insulating material.
b. The discharge itself.