sparkle

noun

1. 1

   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.

   The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper.

2. 2

   Brilliance; luster.

   the sparkle of a diamond

3. 3

   Liveliness; vivacity.

   the sparkle of his conversation over dinner

4. 4

   The quality of being sparkling or fizzy; effervescence.

verb

1. 1

   To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles.

   The wood was sparkling in the bonfire.

2. 2

   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.

   The light of the sun, already far down the horizon, makes the rock wall sparkle for a moment like pure gold.

3. 3

   To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash.

   I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes.

4. 4

   To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce.

   sparkling wine

   sparkling water

5. 5

   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.

6. 6

   obsoleteTo disperse.

7. 7

   obsoleteTo scatter on or over.

Forms

plural

sparkles

past tense

sparkled

past participle

sparkled

present participle

sparkling

third person singular

sparkles