Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - spark

~1 n 1 »FIRE« a very small bit of brightly burning material produced by a fire or by hitting or rubbing together two hard objects  (In a gas leak, any small spark will cause an explosion. | a shower of sparks from the fire) 2 »ELECTRICITY« a flash of light caused by electricity passing across a space 3 spark of interest/excitement/anger etc a small amount of a feeling or quality, that can be noticed in someone's expression or behaviour  (Meg's eyes lacked their usual spark of humour.) 4 »INTELLIGENCE/ENERGY« a quality of intelligence or energy that makes someone successful or fun to be with  (Ali has plenty of spark and wit.) 5 »CAUSE« a small action or event that quickly causes trouble or violence  (Hani's murder was the spark that started the riot.) 6 sparks fly if sparks fly between two people, they argue angrily  (Sparks were flying at the Conroy's last night!) ~2 v 1 also spark off to be the cause of trouble or violence  (a minor incident that sparked off the conflict) 2 to start someone's interest in something  (Going to an exhibition sparked Chris's interest in photography.) 3 to produce sparks of fire or electricity 4 AmE old-fashioned to pay special attention to someone you are sexually attracted to