Definition of "spark"

if any spark of life be yet remaining

c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene vi]

But though we have, here and there, a little of this clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge

1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […]

When the latter disk showed some sparks, Moman contacted MGM's Jim Vienneau, who picked up the waxing for national release.

1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, page 173

Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.

2013 September 1, Phil McNulty, BBC Sport

At the other extreme, with limitless budgets all they have to do is dream up amazing lighting rigs to be constructed and operated by the huge team of gaffers and sparks, with their generators, discharge lights, flags, gobos and brutes.

1999, Des Lyver, Graham Swainson, Basics of Video Lighting, page 103

The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.

2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport‎

Byron sparked the cigarette. He sucked it dramatically and thrust it into Marko's hand.

2009, Alex Jenson, The Serotonin Grand Prix, page 12

[Streetlife]:Fuck a peace talk, let the gun spark, on the streets of New York.

1998 November 10, “Grid Iron Rap” (track 17), in Tical 2000: Judgement Day‎, performed by Method Man,Streetlife (rapper)

All of a sudden, everybody tuggin', everybody dark. Everybody gums runnin', 'til the guns spark.

2004, “U Ain't A Killer” (track 10), in The War Mixtape‎, performed by Akala (rapper)

Guns spark in the dark, it was all just a part of the eighties Bronx scene that created all.

2022 February 22, “Raw Hip Hop” (track 2), in IMAMCRU12‎, performed by KRS-One

The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.

1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Alma: Or, The Progress of the Mind”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […]

Jones had no sooner quitted the room, than the petty-fogger, in a whispering tone, asked Mrs Whitefield, “If she knew who that fine spark was?”

1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […]

He will retrieve his errors yet—their worthy Father, once my honour'd master, was at his years nearly as wild a spark.

1777, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for Scandal, I.ii