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1. Put in motion, initiate (a device, reaction, circuit, etc)
   - actuate, trigger, activate, set off, spark, trigger off, touch off
    
2. Cause to start, provoke or initiate (usually something negative or violent)
   "spark off a huge argument";
   - kick off [informal], touch off, spark, set off, trigger

Derived forms: sparking off, sparked off, sparks off

Type of: initiate, pioneer