| scintilla | (n) a sparkling glittering particle |
| scintillate | (v) give off, Example: the substance scintillated sparks and flashes |
| scintillate | (v) physics: fluoresce momentarily when struck by a charged particle or high-energy photon, Example: the phosphor fluoresced |
| scintillating scotoma | (n) a localized area of diminished vision edged by shimmering colored lights; in many people it indicates the onset of migraine, Syn. flittering scotoma |
| scintillation | (n) (physics) a flash of light that is produced in a phosphor when it absorbs a photon or ionizing particle |
| scintillation | (n) a brilliant display of wit |
| scintillation | (n) the twinkling of the stars caused when changes in the density of the earth's atmosphere produce uneven refraction of starlight |
| scintillation counter | (n) counter tube in which light flashes when exposed to ionizing radiation |
| aglitter | (adj) having brief brilliant points or flashes of light, Syn. scintillant, scintillating, fulgid, glittery, glinting, coruscant, glistering, sparkly, glittering, Example: bugle beads all aglitter; glinting eyes; glinting water; his glittering eyes were cold and malevolent; shop window full of glittering Christmas trees; glittery costume jewelry; scintillant mica; the scintillating stars; a dress with sparkly sequins; `glistering' is an archaic term |
| glitter | (n) the quality of shining with a bright reflected light, Syn. glisten, glister, sparkle, scintillation |
| shred | (n) a tiny or scarcely detectable amount, Syn. smidge, scintilla, whit, iota, smidgin, smidgeon, smidgen, tittle |
| sparkle | (v) reflect brightly, Syn. coruscate, scintillate, Example: Unquarried marble sparkled on the hillside |
| sparkle | (v) be lively or brilliant or exhibit virtuosity, Syn. coruscate, scintillate, Example: The musical performance sparkled; A scintillating conversation; his playing coruscated throughout the concert hall |
| twinkle | (n) a rapid change in brightness; a brief spark or flash, Syn. scintillation, sparkling |
| twinkle | (v) emit or reflect light in a flickering manner, Syn. winkle, scintillate, Example: Does a constellation twinkle more brightly than a single star? |
| Scintilla | ‖n. [ L. ] A spark; the least particle; an iota; a tittle. R. North. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Scintillant | a. [ L. scintillans, p. pr. of scintillare to sparkle. See Scintillate. ] Emitting sparks, or fine igneous particles; sparkling. M. Green. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Scintillate | v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Scintillated p. pr. & vb. n. Scintillating. ] [ L. scintillare, scintillatum, from scintilla a spark. Cf. Stencil. ] 1. To emit sparks, or fine igneous particles. [ 1913 Webster ] As the electrical globe only scintillates when rubbed against its cushion. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To sparkle, as the fixed stars. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Scintillation | n. [ L. scintillatio: cf. F. scintillation. ] 1. The act of scintillating. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A spark or flash emitted in scintillating. [ 1913 Webster ] These scintillations are . . . the inflammable effluences discharged from the bodies collided. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ] |
