Part 611

Job v. 7.

2. A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.

3. That which, like a spark, may be kindled into a flame, or into action; a feeble germ; an elementary principle. "If any spark of life be yet remaining." Shak. "Small intellectual spark." Macaulay. "Vital spark of heavenly flame." Pope.

We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge.

Locke.

Bright gem instinct with music, vocal spark.

Wordsworth.

Spark arrester, a contrivance to prevent the escape of sparks while it allows the passage of gas, -- chiefly used in the smokestack of a wood-burning locomotive. Called also spark consumer. [U.S.]

Spark, n. [Icel. sparkr lively, sprightly.] 1. A brisk, showy, gay man.

The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.

Prior.

2. A lover; a gallant; a beau.

Spark, v. i. To sparkle. [Obs.] Spenser.

Spark, v. i. To play the spark, beau, or lover.

A sure sign that his master was courting, or, as it is termed, sparking, within.

W. Irwing.

Spark"er (?), n. A spark arrester.

Spark"ful (?), a. Lively; brisk; gay. [Obs.] "Our sparkful youth." Camden.

Spark"ish, a. 1. Like a spark; airy; gay. W. Walsh.

2. Showy; well-dresed; fine. L'Estrange.

Spar"kle (?), n. [Dim. of spark.] 1. A little spark; a scintillation.

As fire is wont to quicken and go From a sparkle sprungen amiss, Till a city brent up is.

Chaucer.

The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper.

Prescott.

2. Brilliancy; luster; as, the sparkle of a diamond.

Spar"kle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparkled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sparkling (?).] [See Sparkle, n., Spark of fire.] 1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle.

A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling.