Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPARK, v.i.

To emit particles of fire; to sparkle. [Not in use.] – Spenser.

SPARK'FUL, a.

Lively; brisk; gay. – Camden.

SPARK'ISH, a.

1. Airy; gay. – Walsh.
2. Showy; well dressed; fine. – L'Estrange.

SPARK'LE, n.

1. A spark. – Dryden.
2. A luminous particle.

SPARK'LE, v.i. [D. spartelen.]

1. To emit sparks; to send off small ignited particles; as burning fuel, &c.
2. To glitter; to glisten; as, a brilliant sparkles; sparkling colors. – Locke.
3. To twinkle; to glitter; as, sparkling stars.
4. To glisten; to exhibit an appearance of animation; as, the eyes sparkle with joy. – Milton.
5. To emit little bubbles, as spirituous liquors; as, sparkling wine.

SPARK'LE, v.t.

To throw about; to scatter. [Not in use.] – Sackville.

SPARK'LER, n.

He or that which sparkles; one whose eyes sparkle. – Addison.

SPARK'LET, n.

A small spark. – Cotton.

SPARK'LI-NESS, n.

Vivacity. [Not in use.] – Aubrey.

SPARK'LING, ppr. [or a.]

Emitting sparks; glittering; lively; as, sparkling wine; sparkling eyes.

SPARK'LING-LY, adv.

With twinkling or vivid brilliancy.

SPARK'LING-NESS, n.

Vivid and twinkling luster.

SPAR'LING, n.

A smelt. – Cotgrave.

SPAR'RING, n.

1. Prelusive contention, as among boxers.
2. Dispute; slight debate.

SPAR'ROW, n. [Sax. speara; Goth. sparwa; G. and Dan. sperling; Sw. sparf; probably allied to spear or spare, and so named from its smallness.]

A small bird of the genus Fringilla and order of Passeres. These birds are frequently seen about houses.

SPAR'ROW-BILL, n.

Small nails; cast iron shoe nails.

SPAR'ROW-GRASS, n.

A corruption of Asparagus.

SPAR'ROW-HAWK, or SPAR'HAWK, n. [Sax. spearhafoc, spear-hawk.]

A small species of short-winged hawk. A popular name of all those Falcons whose tarsi are high and scutellated. The Falco Nisus is called Sparrow-hawk, by way of eminence.

SPAR'RY, a. [from spar.]

Resembling spar, or consisting of spar; having a confused crystaline structure; spathose.

SPARSE, a. [spars; L. sparsus, scattered, from spargo.]

1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; as, a sparse population. Story.
2. In botany, not opposite, nor alternate, nor in any apparent regular order; applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, &c. – Martyn.

SPARSE, v.t. [spàrs.]

To disperse. [Not in use.] – Spenser.

SPARS'ED, a.

Scattered. Lee.

SPARS'ED-LY, adv.

In a scattered manner. – Evelyn.

SPARSE'NESS, n.

Thinness; scattered state; as sparseness of population. – Story, Vol. 2, 70.

SPAR'TAN, a.

Pertaining to ancient Sparta; hence, hardy; undaunted; as, Spartan souls; Spartan bravery.