Sparker

Spark  (spärk), Dame Muriel Sarah 1918-2006.

Scottish writer known for her satirical novels, including Memento Mori (1958) and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961).

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spark ¹  (spärk)

n.

1. 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.

2. A glistening particle, as of metal.

3.

a. A flash of light, especially a flash produced by electric discharge.

b. A short pulse or flow of electric current.

4. 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.

5. sparks (used with a sing. verb) Informal A radio operator aboard a ship.

6. Electricity

a. The luminous phenomenon resulting from a disruptive discharge through an insulating material.

b. The discharge itself.

v. sparked, spark·ing, sparks

v.intr.

1. To give off sparks.

2. To give an enthusiastic response.

3. To operate correctly. Used of the ignition system of an internal-combustion engine.

v.tr.

1. To set in motion; activate: The incident sparked a controversy.

2. To rouse to action; spur: A cheering crowd sparked the runner to triumph.

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[Middle English sparke, from Old English spearca. V., from Middle English sparken, from Old English spearcian.]

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sparker n.

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spark ²  (spärk)

n.

1. An elegantly dressed, highly self-conscious young man.

2. A male suitor; a beau.

v. sparked, spark·ing, sparks

v.tr.

To court or woo.

v.intr.

To play the suitor.

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[Perhaps of Scandinavian origin or from spark.]

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sparker n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

sparker - a wire net to stop sparks from an open fireplace or smokestack spark arrester meshwork, meshing, network, mesh, net - an open fabric of string or rope or wire woven together at regular intervals