Middle English Dictionary Entry
sparken v.
Entry Info
| Forms | sparken v. Also sparcen & (early) sparki, sparchi; ppl. sparkinge, sparkend, sparkande, (N) sparcand & (?error) sparkenede. |
| Etymology | OE spearcian; also cp. MDu., MLGsparken. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To give off sparks; also, fig. produce or kindle (sparks of desire); ppl. sparkinge as adj.: giving off sparks, sparking; (b) to sparkle, glitter; ppl. sparkinge, glittering.
Associated quotations
a
- c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34)36/6 : Ich..sparki [Roy: sparchi] in ham sparken of lustes se luðere, þet ha forberneð inwið.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)2925 : He sagh þat cuntre..Wit sparcand reke and couerd abouen, Als it war a brinand ouen.
- a1450 Rev.HWoman (Lngl 29)78/623 : I asked hyr..why at hyr hert come out so many sparkles of fyr and..sho seid..as touchynge..the sparkynge fyr..hit was for hir othes weren mych by Our Lordes hert.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)462 : Sparkyn: Sintillo.
b
- (c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108)2144 : A croiz..On his rith shuldre..sparkede and ful brith shon So doth þe gode charbucle ston.
- c1400 Apoc.(1) in LuSE (LdMisc 235)p.190 : Sparkande [vr. sparkenede; Hrl: Crisolite þat haþ þe colour of golde sparklande bitokneþ þe wise].
- a1425 Daniel *Treat.Uroscopy (Wel 225)240/2783 : Marcure..is mast in colour whyte of all þe planetis, & he is wondre clemmede & sparkend.