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Scintilla: meaning, definitions and examples

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scintilla

 

[ sɪnˈtɪlə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

small amount

A scintilla refers to a tiny, barely perceptible amount or trace of something. The term is often used in legal or literary contexts to indicate something very small or insignificant.

Synonyms

bit, fragment, smidgen, trace

Examples of usage

  • There wasn't a scintilla of doubt in her mind.
  • He knew not a scintilla of the truth.
  • The report contained not a scintilla of evidence.
  • Even a scintilla of kindness can make a difference.

Translations

Translations of the word "scintilla" in other languages:

🇵🇹 escintila

🇮🇳 चिंगारी

🇩🇪 Funke

🇮🇩 percikan

🇺🇦 іскра

🇵🇱 iskra

🇯🇵 きらめき

🇫🇷 scintille

🇪🇸 chispa

🇹🇷 kıvılcım

🇰🇷 불꽃

🇸🇦 شرارة

🇨🇿 iskra

🇸🇰 iskra

🇨🇳 火花

🇸🇮 iskra

🇮🇸 skínandi

🇰🇿 шашырау

🇬🇪 ისკრა

🇦🇿 çəpər

🇲🇽 chispa

Etymology

The word 'scintilla' comes from Latin, where it means 'spark' or 'glimmer'. It is derived from the Latin word 'scintillare', which means 'to sparkle' or 'to shine'. This origin reflects the concept of something minimal—just a tiny spark among a much larger context. The term has been adopted into English usage primarily to emphasize the idea of a very small amount. It has appeared in English literature since the 17th century, often used to convey a sense of something fleeting or elusive. Over time, 'scintilla' has also found its place in legal vernacular, where it denotes the smallest degree of something required to meet a certain threshold or standard.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,624 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.