Forms: 3 sperklen, 5, 9 Sc. spercle; 5 sparklyn, 5–6 spark(e)l-, 6 -kil(l, -kyll, sparcle; 4– sparkle. [f. SPARK sb.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. 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. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., III. ii. 317. Mine eyes should sparkle like the beaten Flint. Ibid., 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 … Rowld his green Eyes, that sparkled with his Rage.
3. 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. Shaks., Cymb., II. iv. 40. Sparkles this Stone as it was wont, or is’t not Too dull for your good wearing?
1697. 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. Mrs. F. 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.
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. 163. 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. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. i. 197. A fire sparkling in Louers eyes. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, III. i. 31. Disdaine and Scorne ride sparkling in her eyes.
a. 1645. Milton, Arcades, 27. I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes. Ibid. (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. Miss 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. Ht. 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. 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. (1848), 330. 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. To emit, eject, or throw out (fire, etc.) as or like sparks. Also transf.
1588. Shaks., 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, trans. 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. ii. H 1 b. Your eyes should sparkle ioy.
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-Treasure, 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 behavior or spirits.
1840. Lady C. Bury, Hist. of Flirt, iv. His endeavours to sparkle down the gloom on his sister’s countenance.
