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Glow vs Spark - What's the difference?

glow | spark |

In transitive terms the difference between glow and spark

is that glow is to make hot; to flush while spark is to trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).

In intransitive terms the difference between glow and spark

is that glow is to feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn while spark is to give off a spark or sparks.

As verbs the difference between glow and spark

is that glow is to give off light from heat or to emit light as if heated while spark is to trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).

As nouns the difference between glow and spark

is that glow is the state of a glowing object while spark is a small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire.

glow

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To give off light from heat or to emit light as if heated.
  • To radiate some emotional quality like light.
  • * Dryden
    • With pride it mounts, and with revenge it glows .
  • * Alexander Pope
    • Burns with one love, with one resentment glows .
  • To gaze especially passionately at something.
  • To radiate thermal heat.
  • To shine brightly and steadily.
  • * , chapter=5
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.}}
  • To make hot; to flush.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Fans, whose wind did seem / To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool.
  • To feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn.
  • * Addison
    • Did not his temples glow / In the same sultry winds and scorching heats?
  • * John Gay
    • The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands.

    Noun

    (-)
  • The state of a glowing object.
  • * 1994 , (Stephen Fry), (The Hippopotamus) Chapter 2
    • The door of the twins' room opposite was open; a twenty-watt night-light threw a weak yellow glow into the passageway. David could hear the twins breathing in time with each other.
  • The condition of being passionate or having warm feelings.
  • The brilliance or warmth of color in an environment or on a person (especially one's face).
    • He had a bright red glow on his face.

    Anagrams

    *

    spark

    English

    (wikipedia spark)

    Etymology 1

    From Middle English sparke, sperke, from Old English spearca, from (etyl) ).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A small particle of glowing matter, either molten or on fire.
  • A short or small burst of electrical discharge.
  • A small, shining body, or transient light; a sparkle.
  • (figuratively) A small amount of something, such as an idea, that has the potential to become something greater, just as a spark can start a fire.
  • * Shakespeare
    • if any spark of life be yet remaining
  • * John Locke
    • We have here and there a little clear light, some sparks of bright knowledge .
  • * 2013 , Phil McNulty, "[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980]", BBC Sport , 1 September 2013:
    • Everton's Marouane Fellaini looks one certain arrival but Moyes, who also saw United held to a draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, needs even more of a spark in a midfield that looked laboured by this team's standards.
  • (in plural'' sparks ''but treated as a singular ) A ship's radio operator.
  • (UK, slang) An electrician.
    • Synonyms
    * gnast * beginnings, germ, glimmer
    Derived terms
    * sparkle * bright spark * spark arrester * spark coil * spark gap * spark knock * spark of life * spark plug * spark transmitter * sparks fly

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 5 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The introduction of substitute Andy Carroll sparked Liverpool into life and he pulled a goal back just after the hour - and thought he had equalised as Kenny Dalglish's side laid siege to Chelsea's goal in the closing stages.}}
  • To give off a spark or sparks.
    • Derived terms
    * spark off * sparkle

    Etymology 2

    probably Scandinavian, akin to (etyl) sparkr 'sprightly'

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A gallant, a foppish young man.
  • * Prior
    • The finest sparks and cleanest beaux.
  • A beau, lover.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To woo, court.

    • Derived terms

    * sparkish * sparker

    References

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    Anagrams

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