[prob. a figurative use of prec.: cf. 1 d, quot. 1609.]
1. A woman of great beauty, elegance or wit.
1575. R. B., Appius & Virginia, in Hazl., Dodsley, IV. 112. But stay: behold the peerless sparks, whereof my tongue did talk, Approach.
1612. Chapman, Widowes T., I. i. I will wed thee To my great widdowes Daughter and sole Heire, The louely sparke, the bright Laodice.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, I. i. 8–9. The Vizard is a spark, and has a Genius that Makes her worthy of your self, Dorimant.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 181. The poor mutilated figure, once The gay and glancing fortunate young spark, Miranda.
2. A young man of an elegant or foppish character; one who affects smartness or display in dress and manners. Chiefly in more or less depreciatory use.
c. 1600. Timon, II. iii. (1842), 30. Theis noble sparkes desires your company.
1627. N. Burley, in Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., a ij. The Galley Iason built, that Græcian sparke.
1685. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), I. 339. Mr. Cradock the mercer, a highflown spark, died lately of a St. Anthonies fire.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 329. These sparks with awkward vanity display What the fine gentlemen wore yesterday.
1782. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Ode to R. A.’s, Wks. 1812, I. 35. Some young roving Military Spark.
1818. Sporting Mag. (N.S.), II. 170. Another dapper spark took the place of the prosecutor.
1852. Thackeray, Esmond, III. iii. She invited the agreeable young spark to visit her if ever he came to London.
1883. J. Gilmour, Mongols, 251. The young spark did not relish his rebuke much, but he did not dare to disobey.
b. Used with my (see MY poss. adj. 1 c).
1700. S. L., trans. Fryke’s Voy. E. Ind. 207. When I came to go, I found my Spark gone; and was told he was gone of half an Hour before.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 2, ¶ 1. However, my young Spark ventures upon her like a Man of Quality.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina, xxxvii. Hark’ee, my spark, none of your grinning!
3. A beau, lover or suitor. Freq. with poss. pron.
1706–7. Farquhar, Beaux’ Strat., IV. ii. Had my Spark call’d me a Venus directly, I shou’d have believ’d him a Footman in good earnest.
1747. Hoadly, Suspicious Husband, II. i. I and my Spark have been long acquainted.
1812. Crabbe, Tales, iv. 266. Am I forsaken for a trimmer spark?
1839. Marryat, Diary Amer., Ser. I. I. 141. The first time I ever heard ladies complain of having too many sparks about there.
1871. Browning, Balaust., 1553. The poor poltroon A very woman worsted, daring death Just for the sake of thee, her handsome spark!
4. attrib., as spark spirit, wit.
1602. Marston, Ant. & Mel., V. Wks. 1856, I. 59. Sparke spirit, how like you his voice?
1642. D. Rogers, Naaman, 238. Your sparke wits, ripe heads, experience and abilities.
