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étincelle

spark

noun eh-tehn-SELL Rare

Usage Note

Étincelle means a spark of fire, electricity, or metaphorically of genius or conflict. Faire des étincelles ('to make sparks fly') idiomatically means to cause trouble or, conversely, to shine brilliantly — context determines the sense. The verb étinceler means 'to sparkle' or 'to glitter'.

Examples

"Une étincelle a mis le feu à la forêt."

Natural Translation

A spark set the forest on fire.

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