Sparkle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparkled; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparkling.]
Etymology: [See Sparkle, n., Spark of fire.]
1. To emit sparks; to throw off ignited or incandescent particles; to shine as if throwing off sparks; to emit flashes of light; to scintillate; to twinkle; as, the blazing wood sparkles; the stars sparkle. A mantelet upon his shoulder hanging Bretful of rubies red, as fire sparkling. Chaucer.
2. To manifest itself by, or as if by, emitting sparks; to glisten; to flash. I see bright honor sparkle through your eyes. Milton.
3. To emit little bubbles, as certain kinds of liquors; to effervesce; as, sparkling wine.
Syn. -- To shine; glisten; scintillate; radiate; coruscate; glitter; twinkle.
3 other Webster entries under this spelling
Sparkle, n.
1. A little spark; a scintillation. As fire is wont to quicken and go From a sparkle sprungen amiss, Till a city brent up is. Chaucer. The shock was sufficiently strong to strike out some sparkles of his fiery temper. Prescott.
2. Brilliancy; luster; as, the sparkle of a diamond.
Sparkle, v. t.
To emit in the form or likeness of sparks. "Did sparkle forth great light." Spenser.
Sparkle, v. t.
1. To disperse. [Obs.] The Landgrave hath sparkled his army without any further enterprise. State Papers.
2. To scatter on or over. [Obs.] Purchas.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for sparkle; he lists it under light.
Where he writes about it:
A sparkle is a sudden light, as of sparks thrown out; scintillation is the more exact and scientific term for the actual emission of sparks, also the figurative term for what suggests such emission; as, scintillations of wit or of genius. — from light