Definition: spark

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

spark
     n 1: a momentary flash of light [syn: flicker, glint]
     2: brightness and animation of countenance; "he had a sparkle
        in his eye" [syn: sparkle, light]
     3: electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric
        field [syn: discharge, arc, electric arc, electric
        discharge]
     4: a small but noticeable trace of some quality that might
        become stronger; "a spark of interest"; "a spark of
        decency"
     5: Scottish writer of satirical novels (born in 1918) [syn: Spark,
         Muriel Spark, Dame Muriel Spark, Muriel Sarah Spark]
     6: a small fragment of a burning substance thrown out by
        burning material or by friction
     v 1: actuate; "trigger a reaction" [syn: trip, actuate, trigger,
           activate, set off, spark off, trigger off, touch
          off]
     2: emit or produce sparks; A high tension wire, brought down by
        a storm, can continue to spark."

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Spark \Spark\, v. i. (Elec.)
   To produce, or give off, sparks, as a dynamo at the
   commutator when revolving under the collecting brushes.
Spark \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 \Spark\, v. i.
   To sparkle. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Spark \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 \Spark\, n. [OE. sparke, AS. spearca; akin to D. spark,
   sperk; cf. Icel. spraka to crackle, Lith. sprag["e]ti, Gr. ?
   a bursting with a noise, Skr. sph?rj to crackle, to thunder.
   Cf. Speak.]
   1. A small particle of fire or ignited substance which is
      emitted by a body in combustion.

            Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
                                                  --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.]

Source: The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (2003-OCT-10) 

SPARK

   <language> An annotated subset of Ada supported by tools
   supplied by Praxis Critical Systems (originally by PVL).

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   (2001-07-12)