sarkt

Etymology

From the same stem as the adjective sarkans (“red”) (q.v.), made into a first conjugation verb (ending -t). Cognates include Lithuanian sárkti.^[1]

Verb

sarkt intr., 1st conj., pres. sarkstu, sarksti, sarkst, past sarku

1. to blush, to become red (to have blood come to one's face so that it changes color, as a result of a strong emotion)

   sarkt aiz kautrības ― to blush with shiness

   meitene bieži sarkst ― the girl often blushes

   vaigi sarkst ― (his) cheeks blushed

   Skuja sarkst aiz dusmām kā vēzis ― Skuja blushes, becomes red like a crab with anger

2. to become red, to redden

   ogas sāk sarkt ― the berries began to redden (= ripen)

   vizēja saulaina rudens diena... koki sarka un dzeltēja ― a sunny autumn day was glistening... the trees were becoming red and yellow

3. to become red, to redden (to start radiating or reflecting red light)

   pamalē jau svīst gaisma... sarkst rītausma ― light is already appearing on the horzion... dawn is reddening (= appearing)

   sarka rīts... ap saullēktu cita pēc citas apdzisa nakts izkaisītās zvaigžņu oglītes ― the morning is reddening (= dawning)... around sunrise the little scattered coals of the night stars faded one after the other

4. (figuratively) to be, become red (to distinguish itself from its surroundings by its red color)

   pirmajā skolas dienā viss vasaras krāšņums izkāpj no dārziem un sagulst bērnu rokās... zeltojas dālijas, sarkst asteres, kvēlo neļķes ― in the first day of school all summer splendor left the gardens and lay in the children's hands... the dahlias were yellow, the asters were red, the carnations were glowing

References