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sparkover

 - 3 dictionary results

spark⋅o⋅ver

  [spahrk-oh-ver]
Use sparkover in a Sentence
–noun Electricity.
spark 1 (def. 2).
Origin:
spark 1 + over

spark

1  [spahrk] ,
–noun
1. an ignited or fiery particle such as is thrown off by burning wood or produced by one hard body striking against another.
2. Also called sparkover. Electricity.
a. the light produced by a sudden discontinuous discharge of electricity through air or another dielectric.
b. the discharge itself.
c. any electric arc of relatively small energy content.
d. the electric discharge produced by a spark plug in an internal-combustion engine.
3. anything that activates or stimulates; inspiration or catalyst.
4. a small amount or trace of something.
5. a trace of life or vitality.
6. sparks, (used with a singular verb) Slang. a radio operator on a ship or aircraft.
7. (usually initial capital letter) a member of Camp Fire, Inc., who is five years of age.
–verb (used without object)
8. to emit or produce sparks.
9. to issue as or like sparks.
10. to send forth gleams or flashes.
11. (of the ignition of an internal-combustion engine) to function correctly in producing sparks.
–verb (used with object)
12. to kindle, animate, or stimulate (interest, activity, spirit, etc.): These bright students have sparked her enthusiasm for teaching. The arrival of the piano player really sparked the party.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME; OE spearca; c. MD, MLG sparke; (v.) ME sparken; c. MD, MLG sparken

Related forms:
sparkless, adjective
spark⋅less⋅ly, adverb
sparklike, adjective

Synonyms:
4. jot, bit, flicker.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

spark 
O.E. spearca, from P.Gmc. *spark- (cf. M.L.G. sparke, M.Du. spranke, not found in other Gmc. languages). Electrical sense dates from 1748. Slang sense of "a gallant, a beau, a lover" (c.1600) is perhaps a fig. use, but also perhaps from cognate O.N. sparkr "lively." The verb is attested from c.1300; the slang meaning "stimulate, to trigger" first attested 1912. Spark plug first recorded 1903 (sparking plug is from 1902); fig. sense of "one who initiates or is a driving force in some activity" is from 1941.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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