sparkle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance

   The sparkle in their eye was enchanting.

2. 2
   verb

   be lively or brilliant or exhibit virtuosity

   The musical performance sparkled

3. 3
   verb

   reflect brightly

   Unquarried marble sparkled on the hillside

4. 4
   noun

   A little spark; a scintillation.

   As sparckles from the Anduile vse to fly, / When heauie hammers on the wedge are swaid

5. 5
   noun

   Brilliance; luster.

   the sparkle of a diamond

6. 6
   noun

   Liveliness; vivacity.

   the sparkle of his conversation over dinner

7. 7
   verb

   To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles

   The wood was sparkling in the bonfire.

8. 8
   verb

   To shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle

   The stars sparkle in the sky.

Etymology

From Middle English sparklen, sperclen, equivalent to spark + -le (frequentative verb). Cognate with West Frisian sparkelje (“to sparkle”), Dutch sparkelen (“to sparkle”).