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sparks

 - 9 dictionary results
Sparks
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Sparks

  [spahrks] ,
Use sparks in a Sentence
–noun
1. Jar⋅ed  [jair-id] , 1789–1866, U.S. historian and editor.
2. a city in W Nevada, E of Reno. 40,780.
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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.

spark

2  [spahrk] ,
–noun
1. a gay, elegant, or foppish young man.
2. a beau, lover, or suitor.
3. a woman of outstanding beauty, charm, or wit.
–verb (used with object)
4. Informal: Older Use. to woo; court.
–verb (used without object)
5. Informal: Older Use. to engage in courtship; woo.
Origin:
1565–75; fig. use of spark 1 , or < ON sparkr quick, lively

Related forms:
sparkish, adjective
spark⋅ish⋅ly, adverb
spark⋅ish⋅ness, noun
sparklike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sparks
spark 1   (spärk)   
n.  

  1. An incandescent particle, especially:

    1. One thrown off from a burning substance.

    2. One resulting from friction.

    3. One remaining in an otherwise extinguished fire; an ember.

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

    5. A short pulse or flow of electric current.

    6. A quality or feeling with latent potential; a seed or germ: the spark of genius.

    7. A vital, animating, or activating factor: the spark of revolution.

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

    9. The discharge itself.

  2. A glistening particle, as of metal.

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

    2. A short pulse or flow of electric current.

    3. A quality or feeling with latent potential; a seed or germ: the spark of genius.

    4. A vital, animating, or activating factor: the spark of revolution.

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

    6. The discharge itself.

  4. A trace or suggestion, as:

    1. A quality or feeling with latent potential; a seed or germ: the spark of genius.

    2. A vital, animating, or activating factor: the spark of revolution.

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

    4. The discharge itself.

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

  6. Electricity

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

    2. 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.


[Middle English sparke, from Old English spearca. V., from Middle English sparken, from Old English spearcian.]
spark'er n.
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.

[Perhaps of Scandinavian origin or from spark1.]
spark'er n.
Sparks   (spärks)   
A city of western Nevada east of Reno. It is a tourist center with varied light industries. Population: 84,000.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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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Computing Dictionary

SPARKS language
Fortran superset, used in Fundamentals of Data Structures, E. Horowitz & S. Sahni, Computer Science Press 1976.
(2007-03-21)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Encyclopedia

Sparks

city, Washoe county, in northwestern Nevada, U.S., on the Truckee River. Adjacent to Reno and part of the Reno-Sparks distribution centre, it is mainly residential. Originally named Harriman for the railroad company's president, Sparks was founded in 1904 as a switching yard and repair centre for the Southern Pacific Railroad. It was almost immediately renamed Sparks in honour of Nevada Governor John T. Sparks, whose ranch was nearby and who unsuccessfully opposed legislation to regulate the railroad's tariffs. The town grew slowly until the early 1950s, when a postwar building boom saw its conversion into a suburb of nearby Reno. At the turn of the 21st century, Sparks was Nevada's fourth largest city. Inc. 1905. Pop. (1970) 24,187; (1990) 53,367; (2000) 66,346.

Learn more about Sparks with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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