sparklessadj.
/ˈspɑːklɪs/ a. Free from or devoid of sparks; emitting no sparks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > light emitted in particular manner > [adjective] > glittering or sparkling > not
sparkless1821
untwinkling1880
unblinking1909
1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais xl. 20 Nor, when the spirit's self has ceased to burn, With sparkless ashes load an unlamented urn.
1851 E. B. Browning Casa Guidi Windows ii. xii. 104 Like an anvil black And sparkless.
1881 Standard 14 Sept. 3/1 The engine should be..smokeless, as noiseless as possible, but sparkless is imperative.
b. spec.
ΚΠ
c1865 J. Wylde Circle of Sci. I. 272/1 The relays are ‘sparkless’.
1890 Telegr. Jrnl. 21 Feb. 203/2 The impossibility of making a sparkless commutator.
Derivatives
ˈsparklessly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical engineering > dynamo > [adverb]
sparklessly1891
1891 in Cent. Dict.
1906 H. M. Hobart Elem. Princ. Continuous-current Dynamo Design iv. 106 Prior to coming into the position of short-circuit under the brush, it has been carrying a current of, say, 100 ampères in one direction. Immediately after emerging from the position of short-circuit, it will be carrying a current of 100 ampères in the opposite position. The change must take place sparklessly.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
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adj.1821