sparing (sparing)

[ Sparynge. Parcimonia. Prompt . Parv ., p. 467. 2. pl . That which is saved by frugality or economy; savings. [Rare.] The spa rings of the whole week which have not been laid out for chances in the lottery are spent for this evening's amusement. Howells , Venetian Life, v. 3t. The state of being spared from harm or death. If the Lord give you sparing to-morrow, let me hear four words of comfort from you for God's sake. J. Carele , in Bradford's Letters (Parker Soc., 1853), II. 241. sparing (spar'ing), p. a. [Ppr. of sparel, v.] 1. Inclined to spare or save; economical; frugal; chary; grudging. A year afterward he entered the ministry again, and lived with the utmost sparingne . George Eliot , Felix Holt, vi. spark1 (spärk), n. [ sparke , sperke , sparc , spære , spearke , spærca = MD. sparcke , spercke , D. spark = MLG. LG. sparke ( OF.'esparque ), a spark; perhaps so called from the crackling of a firebrand: ef. Icel. Sw. spraka = Dan. sprage , crackle, Lith. sprageti , crackle, Gr. σφάραγος , a crackling, Skt. ✔ sphūrj , rumble.] 1. A particle of ignited substance emitted from a body in combustion; a fiery particle thrown off by burning wood, iron, powder, or other substance. He muhte... blowen so lith eliche thet sum sperke muhte acwikien. Ancren Riwle , p. 96. IMG:content-1638.png:[blocks in formation] These writing diamonds are sparks set in steel tubes much like ever point pencils. Lea , Photography, p. 427. 4. A separate bit or particle of fire or burning matter in an otherwise inert body or ma ; hence, a bit of anything, material or immaterial, comparable to this in its nuclear character or po ible extension of activity. If any spark of life be unquench'd in her, This will recover her. Beau , and Fl ., Knight of Malta, iii. 2. If the true spark of religious and civil liberty be kindled, it will burn. D. Webster, Speech, Bunker Hill Monument, June 17, 1825. Electric spark, the luminous effect produced when a sudden disruptive electrical discharge takes place between two charged conductors, or between two conductors at different electric potentials. The length of the spark depends primarily upon the difference of potential of the two charged bodies; it is hence in general a conspicuous phenomenon with high-potential frictional elec tricity. Fairy sparks. See fairy. tricity, and not with ordinary voltaic currents. See elec spark1 (spärk), v. [ There is no sparking at the brushes. S. P. Thompson , Dynamo-Elect. Mach., p. 113. II. trans. 1. To affect by sparks, as of electricity; act upon by the emi ion or transmi ion of sparks. [Recent.] sparkle The insulation is apt to be sparked through and spoiled. Elect. Rev. (Eng.), XXIV. 550. Whenever a large Leyden jar is sparked through the Philos . Mag ., XXVII. 339. 2. To splash with dirt. Hall i well . [Prov. Eng. or Scotch.] coil.