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Added 9 October 2026

spark

/ˈspɑːk/ noun

In Latin: scintilla Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about spark at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire, resulting from an electrical surge or excessive heat created by friction.
A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

verb

To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).
To light; to kindle.
To give off a spark or sparks.

noun

A gallant; a foppish young man.
A beau, lover.

verb

To woo, court; to act the gallant or beau.

Origin

From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from Proto-West Germanic *sparkō (compare Saterland Frisian Spoorke, West Frisian spark, Dutch spark, German Low German Sparke, German Sparke), perhaps from Proto-Germanic *sparkaz (“lively, energetic”), from Proto-Indo-European *sperg- (“to strew, sprinkle”) (compare Breton erc’h (“snow”), Latin spargō (“to scatter, spread”), sparsus (“scattered”), Lithuanian sprógti (“to germinate”), Ancient Greek σπαργάω (spargáō, “to swell”), Avestan 𐬟𐬭𐬀𐬯𐬞𐬀𐬭𐬈𐬔𐬀 (frasparega, “branch, twig”), Sanskrit पर्जन्य (parjanya, “rain, rain god”)).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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