spark

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a very small burning piece of material that is produced by sth that is burning or by hitting two hard substances together: A shower of sparks flew up the chimney. * A spark from the machinery had set fire to some material. 2 [C] a small flash of light produced by an electric current: sparks from a faulty light switch * A spark ignites the fuel in a car engine. 3 [C,usually sing.] ~ of sth a small amount of a particular quality or feeling: For a moment, she felt a spark of hope. * The woman's eyes still had a spark of life in them. 4 [U,sing.] a special quality of energy, intelligence or enthusiasm that makes sb very imaginative, amusing, etc: As a writer he seemed to lack creative spark. * She was a real star. She had a certain spark-that something extra. 5 [C] an action or event that causes sth important to develop, especially trouble or violence: These were the sparks of revolution. 6 [C,usually pl.] feelings of anger or excitement between people: Sparks flew at the meeting (= there was a lot of argument). * She was suddenly aware of the romantic spark between them. IDIOMS see BRIGHTadj. verb 1 [VN] ~ sth (off) to cause sth to start or develop, especially suddenly: The proposal would spark a storm of protest around the country. * The riots were sparked off by the arrest of a local leader. * Winds brought down power lines, sparking a fire. * The organizers are hoping to spark some interest in young people. 2 [V] to produce small flashes of fire or electricity: a sparking, crackling fire * (figurative) The game suddenly sparked to life.