Word of the Day, October 26: ‘Scintilla’

Word of the Day: SCINTILLA

Pronunciation:
UK /sɪnˈtɪl.ə/

US /sɪnˈtɪl.ə/

Meaning

Scintilla is a noun that means a very small amount or a faint trace of something. It is often used in expressions such as “a scintilla of doubt” or “not a scintilla of evidence”.

Examples for daily usage

• There was not a scintilla of evidence to support his claims.
• She did not show a scintilla of remorse for her actions.
• Despite the setbacks, he held on to a scintilla of hope.
• There was not a scintilla of doubt in her mind about the decision.

Origin and history

Scintilla entered English in the late 17th century. It comes from the Latin word scintilla, meaning “spark” or “spark of fire”.
The original meaning referred to a tiny particle of fire or a glowing speck. Over time, the word acquired a figurative meaning, referring to the smallest trace or amount of something, such as knowledge, evidence or emotion.

ALSO READ: Word of the Day, October 25: ‘Rapacious’

Cultural significance and modern usage

Scintilla is commonly used in legal writing, journalism and literature. In a courtroom, for instance, a writer might refer to a scintilla of evidence to describe a tiny amount of information relevant to a case.
In everyday writing, the word can add emphasis to statements about feelings, beliefs or qualities.
Although the word originally referred to a spark, its modern use extends well beyond anything physical. It can describe the smallest hint of almost any abstract quality.

Interesting facts

Scintilla is a noun. The related word scintillate means to sparkle or shine, and can also describe someone who speaks brilliantly or wittily.
Its Latin origin connects the word to the image of a tiny spark
“Not a scintilla of evidence” is a familiar phrase in formal and legal contexts.

Examples from literature

• What, I wondered, was—or, rather, wasn’t—‘a scintilla of evidence’?”
  — Prejudices by Charles Macomb Flandrau.
• “Did one single scintilla of thought of any kind occur to you in connection with the matter, Jimmy, from beginning…”
  — Novel Notes by Jerome K. Jerome.

Synonyms

• Iota
• Trace
• Hint
• Speck

Antonyms

• Abundance
• Plenty

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