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Streak vs Spark - What's the difference?

streak | spark | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between streak and spark

is that streak is to have or obtain streaks while spark is to give off a spark or sparks.

In transitive terms the difference between streak and spark

is that streak is to move very swiftly while spark is to trigger, kindle into activity (an argument, etc).

streak

English

(wikipedia streak)

Noun

(en noun)
  • An irregular line left from smearing or motion.
  • *
  • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients, chapter=1 , passage='Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed.}}
  • A continuous series of like events.
  • The color of the powder of a mineral. So called, because a simple field test for a mineral is to streak it against unglazed white porcelain.
  • A moth of the family Geometridae .
  • *
  • A tendency or characteristic, but not a dominant or pervasive one.
  • (shipbuilding) A strake.
  • A rung or round of a ladder.
  • Derived terms

    * streak of good luck

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To have or obtain streaks.
  • If you clean a window in direct sunlight, it will streak.
  • (slang) To run naked in public.
  • It was a pleasant game until some guy went streaking across the field.
  • To create streaks.
  • You will streak a window by cleaning it in direct sunlight.
  • To move very swiftly.
  • (obsolete, UK, Scotland) To stretch; to extend; hence, to lay out, as a dead body.
  • See also

    * losing streak * streaker * winning streak * talk a blue streak

    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

    *

    Anagrams

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