Main Entry:: ¹spark
Pronunciation:: \ˈspärk\
Function:: noun
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

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 friction2 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 plug3: sparkle , flash4: 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>6plural but sing in constr : a radio operator on a ship

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