sparkle
verb
- emit light, sparkle
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L328203 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈspɑː.kəl/ / /ˈspɑɹ.kəl/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English sparkel, sparkle, sparcle, equivalent to spark + -le (diminutive suffix). In some modern uses deverbal from etymology 2 below.
- A little spark; a scintillation.
“As sparckles from the Anduile vse to fly, / When heauie hammers on the wedge are swaid”
“The lamp was shaded, and the fire was dim, when suddenly the log, which had burnt through, gave way; a shower of sparkles rose from the hearth, and a bright blaze illuminated the room, falling full on Francesca's face, as she bent over the patient.”
- Brilliance; luster.
“the sparkle of a diamond”
- Liveliness; vivacity.
“the sparkle of his conversation over dinner”
- The quality of being sparkling or fizzy; effervescence.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English sparklen, sperclen, equivalent to spark + -le (frequentative verb). Cognate with West Frisian sparkelje (“to sparkle”), Dutch sparkelen (“to sparkle”).
- To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles
“The wood was sparkling in the bonfire.”
- To shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle
“The stars sparkle in the sky.”
“Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.”
- To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash.
“I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes.”
- To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce
“sparkling wine”
“sparkling water”
- To emit in the form or likeness of sparks.
“That the bright glister of their beames cleare / Did sparckle forth great light, and glorious did appeare.”
- To disperse.
- To scatter on or over.