▪ I. sparkle, n.
(ˈspɑːk(ə)l)
Forms: α. 4– sparkle, 4–7, 9 dial. sparcle (6 -ckle); 5, 7 sparkel, 5 -ele, 5–6 -ell, 5 sparkull, 6 -ul, 5 sparkil, 6 -yl(l. β. 4–6, 9 Sc. sperkle, 5 sperkyl(l, 6 -kil, 5–6 spercle.
[f. spark n.1 + -le 1, perh. on the analogy of the vb. The earlier senses run parallel with those of spark.]
1. A small spark; an ignited or luminous particle.
| α c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 8544 Þe sparkles fleye as fir of flyntes. c 1407 Lydg. Reson & Sens. 1579 A firy bronde, Castyng sparklys fer a-broode. 1482 Monk of Evesham xvii. (Arb.) 40 They ware bore vppe an hy by the grete vyolente flamys of fier as sparclys byn of a brennyng fornece. 1532 More Confut. Barnes viii. Wks. 757/2 We be sure by the smoke & the sparcles that there is fyre in the chymneye. 1589 R. Harvey Pl. Perc. (1860) 29 When the steele and the flint be knockde togither, a man may light his match by the sparkle. 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 126 A sparkle hath the same vertue that fire hath. 1667 Milton P.L. vi. 766 Fierce Effusion..Of smoak and bickering flame, and sparkles dire. 1758 Reid tr. Macquer's Chym. I. 362 You will see a great many sparkles darted up from the surface of the metal. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxxiii, I remained..gazing after them, as if endeavouring to count the sparkles which flew from the horses' hoofs. 1870 Bryant Iliad iv. I. 108 A radiant meteor scattering sparkles round. |
| β 1382 Wyclif Gen. xix. 28 Abraham..saw a multitude of sparkis [v.r. sperklis] steiynge vp fro the erthe. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xii. 43 Thynke it not nomore than the sperkell yssuyng oute of the fyre wyth the smoke. 1508 Stanbridge Vulgaria (W. de W.) A vj b, Fauilla, a sperkle. 15.. Adam Bel 133 in Hazl. E.P.P. II. 144 The spercles brent, and fell hym on. 1570 Levins Manip. 125 A sperkil, scintilla. |
| Prov. 1382 Wyclif Ecclus. xi. 34 Of oo sparcle fyr is eechid. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. x. viii. (1495) 379 Of a lytill sperkyll in an hepe of towe or of tyndyr cometh sodaynly a grete fyre. ? c 1470 G. Ashby Active Policy 426 For of a litle sparkel a grete fyre Comyth, displeasaunt to many a sire. a 1536 Proverbs in Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.) 130 Of a lytill sparkyll, commeth a gret fyre. |
b. With of (fire, etc.).
| c 1422 Hoccleve Minor P. xxiii. 702 Right as sparcles of fyr aboute sprede Whan þat a greet toun set is on a lowe. 1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xlii. 68/1 Noo thynge fantastyque, but a sparcle of fyre. 1597 J. King On Jonas (1618) 10 Quenching a sparkle of wild-fire. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 202 The aire appeared as if full of sparkles of fire. |
c. In similes or comparisons, and in allusive use.
| c 1330 King of Tars 194 Whon he was brouht uppon his stede, He sprong as sparkle doth of glede. 1382 Wyclif Wisd. iii. 7 As sparcles in reeddy places thei shuln renne hider and thider. 14.. Sir Beues (M.) 1884 Vp he sterte also right As sperkyll oute of fire right. 1660 W. Secker Nonsuch Prof. 342 A man that carries Gun-powder about him, can never stand too far from Sparkles. |
d. fig. and in fig. context; freq. with allusion to the kindling of a fire or conflagration.
| (a) 1382 Wyclif Wisd. ii. 2 Sermoun of [read is] a sparcle to stirn togidere oure herte. c 1386 Chaucer Reeve's Prol. 31 Foure gleedes han we..: Avauntyng, liyng, Anger, Coueitise, Thise foure sparkles [v.r. sperkles] longen vn to eelde. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 249 b/1 How be hit that the membres were bounden in the hete of the Sparcles, the force of the feith was not corrupt. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 263 It shal be as easie a matter for a man to finde as much Relligion in Tullies Officies..as this your Relligion is,..a fewe sparckles onely except. 1607 Scholast. Disc. agst. Antichrist i. i. 38 We must nourish her sparcles least her light bee quite extinguished. 1629 H. Burton Babel no Bethel 119 Considering them as sparkles leaping out of the boyling brest of juvenile ardour. 1687 Dryden Hind & P. i. 75 When their glimps was gone, My pride struck out new sparkles of her own. 1707 Curios. in Husb. & Gard. 323 Seeds..contain an Atom of Life, a sparkle of celestial Fire. 1819 Scott Ivanhoe xxxii, A sparkle hath been quenched by his blood, which no human breath can again rekindle! |
| (b) 1515 Barclay Egloges ii. (1570) B j/2 A small sparcle may kindle loue certayne. a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 210 Which small sparcle had growen to a greater flame, if the erle of Warwycke..had not sodaynly quenched it. 1600 Holland Livy xxix. xxxi. 732 Unlesse they put out this sparkle of fire betimes,..it will be their chaunce to be caught therewith. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. ii. vi. 207 That every least despised sparkle is apt to occasion great combustions. 1779 Johnson L.P., Addison ¶45 Some unlucky sparkle from a Tory paper set Steele's politicks on fire. 1859 Tennyson Geraint & Enid 833 To make My nature's prideful sparkle in the blood Break into furious flame. |
2. A slight beginning, trace, indication, or manifestation of something.
| c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 279 Sparclis of grace þat we felen. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas iii. xix. (1554) 91 b/2 The sparcle of vengeance is quicked..by windes foure. c 1450 J. Metham Wks. 39 With-in Amoryus the sparkyl off loue so rootyd gan be. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark Pref. 5 What sparcle of shame remayneth. 1577 Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1619) 150 They had not one sparkle of compassion on us. 1606 J. Carpenter Solomon's Solace iii. 12 He..giueth not so much as any sparkle or shew of a merry conceit. 1675 Traherne Chr. Ethics 415 Now all these sparkles of joy..meet together in humility. 1718 F. Hutchinson Witchcraft 40 He said he had never found one Sparkle of Truth. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 531 Their frictions..struck out the first sparkles of judgment and forecast. 1825 Scott Betrothed xxii, Pleased to shew some sparkles of his ancient military education. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits vii. Truth Wks. (Bohn) II. 55 It is an unlucky moment to remember these sparkles of solitary virtue. |
3. A vital or animating principle. rare.
| 1388 Wyclif 2 Sam. xiv. 7 Thei seken to quenche my sparcle whych is lefte. 1599 Davies Immort. Soul 3 How can we hope, that..This dying Sparkle..Can recollect these beames of knowledge cleare? |
† 4. A small ruby or diamond. Obs. rare.
| 1480 in Cal. Doc. Rel. Scotl. (1888) IV. 297 Sparkyllys [called] rubees. 1687 Dryden Hind & P. ii. 528 Entire, one solid shining Diamond, Not Sparkles shattered into Sects like you. 1704 E. Arwaker Embassy fr. Heaven xxxiv. 14 His Chrystal Coach in Di'mond Sparkles burn'd. |
5. A glittering or flashing point of light.
| 1490 Caxton Eneydos xiii. 48 The sterres launchynge theyr bryghte sparkeles, excyte the appetyte of slepe. 1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. Interpr. Wds., When it is broken, it sendeth out the golden sparcles shinynge like sterres. c 1590 Greene Fr. Bacon iii. iii, As the Moone Darkneth the brightest sparkles of the night. 1634 Milton Comus 80 Swift as the Sparkle of a glancing Star. 1652 N. Culverwel Lt. Nature i. xvi. (1661) 136 The Sun..with its golden Scepter rules all created Sparkles. 1713 Phil. Trans. XXVIII. 231 Those Sparkles of Light. 1824 L. M. Hawkins Annaline II. 169, I have witnessed at night..sparkles which adhered to the adjoining ropes. 1846 Ruskin Mod. Paint. II. iii. §2. v. §21 The sparkles streaming from their purple wings like the glitter of many suns upon a sounding sea. 1871 L. Stephen Playgr. Eur. (1894) v. 128 A few green sparkles just pointing out the Lake of Thun. |
| fig. 1538 Starkey England ii. i. 144 We haue conceyuyd some sparkyl of the celestyal lyght. 1583 Babington Commandm. (1590) 82 These were but sparcles as it were of His glorie and maiestie that they sawe. 1606 J. Clapham Hist. Gt. Brit. i. i. xii. 34 [The] Christian Religion..began to cast forth some small sparkles of her brightnesse. a 1672 Sterry Rise & Race Kingd. God in Soul Man 212 A glance and sparkle of this Eternal Image of essential beauty. 1816 Moore Sacred Songs, ‘Oh, Thou! who dry'st’ ii. (1849) 247 Hope that threw A moment's sparkle o'er our tears, Is dimm'd and vanished too. 1888 Doughty Trav. Arabia Deserta I. vii. 196 These sallies are never unwelcome to Arabs, being as sparkles struck upon their own natural hearts. |
b. A flashing or fiery glance.
| 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. iv. 33 His eies did hurle forth sparcles fiery red. 1721 Ramsay Keitha 41 Her een, which did with heav'nly sparkles low. 1823 Roscoe tr. Sismondi's Lit. Eur. (1846) II. xxxviii. 509 While dark red sparkles from his eye-balls rolled. |
6. Glittering or flashing appearance or quality; lively brightness.
| 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 34 If the sparkle of her eyes appeare in the night, the starres blush at her brightnesse. 1639 J. Saltmarsh Policy A vij b, Like those jewels which have their matter from earth, their sparkle from heaven. 1820 Scott Monast. xxxvii, The occasional sparkle of the long line of spears. 1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 116 His ever-watchful eye caught the sparkle of a diamond. 1885 F. Miller Glass-Painting 53 By rubbing off some of the colour, a wonderful brilliancy and sparkle is imparted. |
b. Brightness or liveliness of spirit; smartness; wittiness.
| 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. viii. §30 How a King of any royall sparkle, could brooke such Sea and Land Tempests..I cannot conceiue. 1789 C. Smith Ethelinde (1814) II. 144 The sparkle of spirit and the languish of tenderness. 1828 Lytton Pelham iii, Beside him was a quick, sharp little woman, all sparkle and bustle. 1876 F. E. Trollope A Charming Fellow I. xvii. 234 [He] surprised himself by the amount of fun and sparkle he contrived to elicit. 1894 J. Cartwright Madame 1 The vivacity and sparkle which she inherited from her mother. |
c. spec. The appearance characteristic of certain wines, due to the presence of carbonic-acid gas.
| 1833 C. Redding Mod. Wines v. 72 The Sillery has no sparkle at all. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. xxxii. 445 If this solitary relic of festival days had lost its sparkle, we had not. |
7. A small piece, part, spot, etc., of something; a (glittering) particle.
| c 1570 Foxe Serm. 2 Cor. v. 18 A breeder of sinne, or (as we may call it) a privy sparcle of the Serpents seede. 1585 Parsons Chr. Exer. i. x. 131 All the pleasures..in the worlde, being onely sparkles and parcelles sent out from God. 1769 St. James's Chron. 12–14 Sept. 1/3 A Peasant, into whose Eye flew a Sparkle of Iron. 1818 Gentl. Mag. 343/2 An aerolite is of a grey colour, and sprinkled with metallic sparkles. 1822 Shelley tr. Calderon's Mag. Prodig. ii. 61 Sparkles of blood on the white foam are cast. |
8. Comb., as sparkle-blazing, sparkle-drifting, sparkle-eyed.
| 1614 Gorges Lucan i. 35 An vgly Fiend (that in her hand Did hold a sparkle-blazing brand). 1648 Hexham ii, Kat⁓oogigh, Cat-eyed, or sparkel-eyed like a Cat. 1845 Mrs. Norton Child of Islands (1846) 178 Hammer the sparkle-drifting iron straight. |
▪ II. sparkle, v.1
(ˈspɑːk(ə)l)
Forms: 3 sperklen, 5, 9 Sc. spercle; 5 sparklyn, 5–6 spark(e)l-, 6 -kil(l, -kyll, sparcle; 4– sparkle.
[f. spark n.1 + -le 3. Cf. MDu. spaer-, sparkelen (Du. and Flem. sparkelen, WFlem. also sperkelen; WFris. sparkelje).]
I. intr.
1. To issue, to fly or spring out or forth, in sparkles or small particles. Also fig.
| a 1200 St. Marher. 9 Of his spetewile muð sperklede fur ut. c 1450 Myrr. our Ladye 47 As it had bene a clowde of fyer sparkelyng & dropyng vpon his hed, & vpon all his body. 1587 Golding De Mornay ix. (1592) 124 The trueth will sparcle out of the Contrarietie of vntruthes, as fire sparcles out of the knocking of one Flintstone against another. 1608 Topsell Serpents (1658) 621 The spirits..hastily leaping out as it were, and quickly sparkling forth. 1620 Markham Farew. Husb. ii. xvii. (1668) 75 As the Pidgeons or Crows tear up the straw, the Lime or ashes will sparkle into their eyes and nares. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. Disc. ix. 122 If like a flint he sends a sparke out, it must as soon be extinguished as shewes, and cool as soon as sparkle. 1805 Wordsw. Prelude viii. 409 A diamond light..was seen Sparkling from out a copse⁓clad bank. 1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 705 When some heat of difference sparkled out. |
2. a. To emit or send out sparks or sparkles of fire. Also fig.
| 1480 Caxton Myrr. ii. xxviii. 121 This that maketh the clowdes to sparkle and lyghtne whan the thondre is herde. 1530 Palsgr. 726/2 Ware your face, this fier sparkilleth apace. 1590 Greene Neuer too Late Wks. (Grosart) VIII. 107 Their eies like comets, that when they sparkle foretell some fatall disparagement. 1692 Sir T. P. Blount Ess. 153 And so, like two Flints struck together, they will be continually sparkling and spitting fire at one another. 1769 Junius Lett. xxxv. (1788) 177 The coldest bodies warm with opposition, the hardest sparkle in collision. 1794 Wordsw. Guilt & Sorrow xx, Till on a stone, that sparkled to his feet, Struck..the troubled horse. 1839 Bailey Festus 73, I will rub them backwards like a cat; And you shall see them spit and sparkle up. 1886 S.W. Linc. Gloss. 138 Larch⁓branches sparkle about so, they're dangerous for childer. |
b. To throw off small particles; to crackle.
| 1495 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. xv. cxlix. 542 In the see of Sicilia is..a wonder maner salt, for it meltyth in fyre and sparklith in water. 1611 Cotgr., La lumiere petille, the candle sparkles, or spits. |
c. Of the eyes: To flash with anger or rage.
| 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, iii. ii. 317 Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten Flint. ― 3 Hen. VI, ii. v. 131 With fiery eyes, sparkling for very wrath. 1667 Milton P.L. i. 194 With..Eyes That sparkling blaz'd. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 652 The Seer..Rowl'd his green Eyes, that sparkled with his Rage. |
3. a. To reflect or emit numerous separate rays or points of light; to glitter or flash.
| c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1306 A mantelet..Bret-ful of rubies reed, as fir sparclyng. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Ezek. i. 7 They sparkled like the appearance of bright brasse. 1611 Shakes. Cymb. ii. iv. 40 Sparkles this Stone as it was wont, or is't not Too dull for your good wearing? 1697 W. Dampier Voy. (1699) 414 The Sea seemed all of a Fire about us; for every Sea that broke sparkled like Lightning. 1719 Young Busiris iii. i, Conquest and crowns shall sparkle in her sight. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xxxvi, She saw..the wide sea sparkling in the morning rays. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xli, Those stately towers..which still, in some places, sparkled with lights. 1859 Jephson Brittany ii. 16 The white villas sparkled in the morning sun. 1894 F. M. Elliot Roman Gossip iii. 84 An emerald ring..sparkled on one finger. |
b. fig. or in fig. context.
| 1667 L. Stuckley Gospel Glass ix. 75 We have not sparkled so much the more in an holy Zeal. 1690 Temple Ess., Poetry Wks. 1720 I. 247 'Tis something to sparkle among Diamonds, but to shine among Pebbles is neither Credit nor Value worth the pretending. a 1764 Lloyd Poet Poet. Wks. 1774 II. 32 Who can a hearty praise bestow, If merit sparkles in a foe. 1781 Cowper Expost. 483 It [the language] sparkles with the gems he left behind. 1827 Hare Guesses (1859) 42 Chaucer sparkles with the dew of morning. 1981 Times 10 June 20 Banks and insurances sparkle. An initial flurry of activity was seen in banks and insurances. |
c. fig. To be extremely bright or lively in conversation or writing; to abound or excel in lively sallies of wit.
| 1698 Collier Immor. Stage 224 Miss Hoyden sparkles too much in Conversation. 1699 J. Dunton Conv. Ireland in Dubl. Scuffle 382 His Wit sparkles as well as his Eyes. 1744 Berkeley Siris §338 Those exalted notions and fine hints that sparkle and shine throughout his writings. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 352 They display an original comic invention, and sparkle with the most lively sallies. 1851 Willmott Pleas. Lit. (1852) vii. 40 Boccaccio sparkles over a grim treatise of Calvin. 1893 Liddon Life Pusey I. xiii. 309 These hints..sparkle with the dry and clear acuteness characteristic of the writer. |
d. To move, proceed, flow, etc., in a glittering or sparkling manner. Const. with preps. and advs.
| 1823 Lamb Elia ii, Amicus Rediv., To trace your salutary waters sparkling through green Hertfordshire. 1841 Browning Pippa Passes Poems (1905) 185 See how that beetle burnishes in the path! There sparkles he along the dust! 1885 Rider Haggard K. Solomon's Mines iii, There are the deep kloofs..down which the rivers sparkle. |
4. Of wines, etc.: To effervesce with small glittering bubbles, due to the presence or rising of carbonic-acid gas.
| 1422 [see sparkling ppl. a.1 3 c]. 1671 Milton Samson 544 Nor did the dancing Rubie Sparkling, out-powr'd, the flavor, or the smell,..Allure thee from the cool Crystalline stream. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Sparkle,..to send forth small Bubbles, as strong Wine does in a Glass. 1782 Phil. Trans. LXXII. 431 The water sparkled, as does Seltzer water, by the vessel being shook. 1826 Art of Brewing (ed. 2) 42 Sparkling in the glass like the finest bottled ale. 1833 Redding Mod. Wines v. 116 The white Crose is a light, delicate wine... It sparkles like Champagne. |
5. a. Of feelings, etc.: To appear or be evident in (or through) the eyes by the brightness or animation of these.
| 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. i. i. 197 A fire sparkling in Louers eyes. 1599 ― Much Ado iii. i. 51 Disdaine and Scorne ride sparkling in her eyes. a 1645 Milton Arcades 27, I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes. 1667 ― P.L. ii. 388 Joy Sparkl'd in all thir eyes. 1704 Swift Batt. Bks. Wks. 1841 I. 132/2 Rage sparkled in his eyes. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. v. 543 With nothing but victory sparkling in his eye. 1848 Dickens Dombey liv, Intense abhorrence sparkling in her eyes. |
b. Of the eyes: To be bright or animated; to shine, to glisten.
| 1700 Dryden To Duchess of Ormond 10 Inspir'd by two fair Eyes that sparkled like your own. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia viii. iii, Her eyes sparkling with joy, and her cheeks glowing with pleasure. 1820 Scott Monast. xxvii, His eyes sparkled, his frame was agitated. 1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect I. 323 A burly man..whose little eyes seemed always sparkling with unclerical humour. |
| transf. 1833 H. Martineau Berkeley i. i. 21 Hester blushed, and sparkled, and looked quite ready to communicate something. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay iii, A bright happy smile sparkled over her countenance. |
† c. To entertain a strong desire for something.
| 1665 R. Brathwait Comment Two Tales (1901) 46 You tax me of pride, and tell me, high blood ever sparkles for good Cloathes. |
II. trans.
6. To cause to sparkle or glitter.
In early use in pa. pple., and not quite separable from sparkle v.2 4.
| 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 31 A mountayne, whose sande is sparkeled with gold. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong s.v. Brochée, A gowne all sparkeled with gold, or aglets. 1619 Williams Serm. Apparell (1620) 16 In picking their rockes for diamonds to sparkle him. 1716 Pope Iliad viii. 2 Aurora now..Sparkled with rosy light the dewy lawn. 1809 W. Irving Knickerb. vi. iv. (1849) 332 The jovial sun..sparkling the landscape with a thousand dewy gems. 1821–30 Ld. Cockburn Mem. (1856) iv. 264 The war sparkled us with military gaiety and parade. |
7. a. To emit, eject, or throw out (fire, etc.) as or like sparks. Also transf.
| 1588 Shakes. L.L.L. iv. iii. 351 Womens eyes..sparcle still the right promethean fire. 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. i. 32 The bright glister of their beames cleare Did sparckle forth great light. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 13 Mercury sparkeling his raies. 1652 J. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox x. 244, I fore-see then, replied Miestas (sparkling Fire out of his Eyes) that you and I must have a quarrell. |
b. Of the eyes: To indicate or betoken (a feeling) by brightness or animation.
| a 1601 Pasquil & Kath. (1878) i. 224 Your eye Sparkles not spirit as 't was wont to doe. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. iii, Your eyes should sparkle joy. 1682 C. Irvine Hist. Scot. Nomencl. Ded. *iv, Our faces then shone with joy, and our eyes sparkled gladness. |
c. In various fig. uses.
| 1610 B. Jonson Alch. iv. i, A certaine touch, or aire, That sparkles a diuinitie, beyond An earthly beautie! 1615 Chapman Odyss. xviii. 311 Thy younger blood Did sparkle choicer spirits. 1667 O. Heywood Heart-Treas. vii, The working forge of men's wicked hearts doth sparkle forth suitable imaginations. 1742 Young Nt. Th. v. 781 Her gaiety..That, like the Jews fam'd oracle of gems, Sparkles instruction. |
8. With down: To dispel (gloom) by cheerful behaviour or spirits.
| 1840 Lady C. Bury Hist. of Flirt iv, His endeavours to sparkle down the gloom on his sister's countenance. |
▪ III. ˈsparkle, v.2 Obs. or dial.
Forms: 5–6 sperkel-, -kle, 6 -cle; 5–6 sparkyl-, 6 sparkel-, -kyll, 5–6 sparcle (6 -ckle), 5– sparkle.
[Alteration of sparple v. Cf. disparkle v.]
1. intr. Of persons: To separate, scatter, or disperse. Freq. with abroad.
| c 1440 Generydes 6049 A bak thei drewe, and sperkelyd her and þer. c 1477 Caxton Jason 9 The other..were anon so discoraged that they sparklid abrode. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccxix. 281 Than they sparcled abrode lyke men y{supt} were discomfyted and chased. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 341 Assone as this proclamation was made, they sparkled abroade, euery man to their awne homes. |
2. trans. To cause to scatter or disperse; to drive in different directions. Also sparkle away (quot. 1703).
| a 1470 Harding Chron. clxxiv. iii, Then went the kyng..and sparcled them then so That North they went. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon xiv. 352 To thende ye maye gader agen togyder your folke that be soo sperkled abrode. 1506 in Mem. Hen. VII (Rolls) 282 All his other ships were sparkled, some to Rye..; some were drowned. 1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions i. ii. 31 They ware diuersely sparckled in diuers partes of the world. 1618 Fletcher Loyal Subj. i. v, Beaten, and't please your Grace, And all his Forces sparkled. 1703 Thoresby Let. to Ray, Sparkle away, to disperse, spend, waste. 1836 Wilbraham Cheshire Gloss. (ed. 2) 111 Sparkle,..to disperse. |
3. To cast abroad; to scatter, sprinkle, or strew.
| c 1440 Gesta Rom. xxvi. 100 And so is þe blode sperkelid aboute the cradil. 1548 Elyot, Conspergo, to scatter or sparcle about abundantly, to strawe. 1555 Eden Decades i. iii. (Arb.) 77 As thowgh mele had byn sparkeled throwgh owte al that sea. |
| transf. 1538 Starkey England ii. i. 157 The cure therof ys sparkylyd in the cure of al other. |
b. dial. To spatter (liquid, etc.) over one.
| 1787 Grose Prov. Gloss. s.v., He sparkled the water all over me. 1854 A. E. Baker Northampt. Gloss. II. 270 He rode so fast he sparkled the mud all over me. |
4. To sprinkle, bestrew, or bespatter with (also in) something; to dot thickly.
| 14.. Sir Beues 350 (Camb. MS. Ff. ii. 38), The chyldys clothys, ryche and gode, He had sparkylde with that blode. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 196 The pauement of the temple is all sparcled with bludde. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 586 The fruite foloweth after, which is long, the outside thereof sparckled, and set full of little bowles or bosses. 1625 Purchas Pilgrims II. ix. 1495 Who being sparkled there⁓with, dieth by force of the poyson. 1629 in Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.) II. 819 To see bright honour sparkled all in gore, Would steele a spirit that ne're fought before. |
| fig. 1570 Foxe A. & M. (ed. 2) 1152/2 Such as had fresh wyttes sparcled with Gods grace. |
b. techn. To overlay or daub with cement or the like. (Cf. sparkling vbl. n.2 2.)
| 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 89 Pan-tiling, with small-sized deal lath, and sparkled within side. |
5. To disseminate or diffuse; to spread or circulate.
| c 1532 G. Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 922 Of it to sparcle the beames through all the worlde. a 1547 Surrey æneid ii. 199 Lefull be it to sparcle in the ayre Their secretes all. 1577–87 Holinshed Scot. Chron. (1806) II. 206 Ill seed of sedition, sparkled and scattered in the cruel civil wares before. |