Spark

Etymology

Middle English sparke, from Old English spearca; akin to Middle Dutch sparke spark and perhaps to Latin spargere to scatter

• Date: before 12th century

Definitions

• 1 a : a small particle of a burning substance thrown out by a body in combustion or remaining when combustion is nearly completed

b : a hot glowing particle struck from a larger mass; especially : one heated by friction

• 2 a : a luminous disruptive electrical discharge of very short duration between two conductors separated by a gas (as air)

b : the discharge in a spark plug

c : the mechanism controlling the discharge in a spark plug

• 3 : sparkle, flash
• 4 : something that sets off a sudden force <provided the spark that helped the team to rally>
• 5 : a latent particle capable of growth or developing : germ <still retains a spark of decency>