scintilla

/sin'tilə/

Thân thiện

A single scintilla of dust floats in the sunbeam.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sparkling or glittering particle: A minute, shining speck, often referring to a tiny flash of light.
   • A tiny or scarcely detectable amount: An extremely small quantity or trace of something, often intangible.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The scientist observed a scintilla of light in the dark chamber. (Referring to a tiny, sparkling particle.)
  • There is not a scintilla of truth in his outrageous claim. (Referring to a minuscule, almost undetectable amount.)
  • Her argument lacked even a scintilla of evidence to support it.

Advanced Usage

• "Not a scintilla of...": A common negative construction to emphasize the complete absence of something.
  • The investigation found not a scintilla of corruption in the department.
• "A scintilla of doubt": A very small amount of uncertainty.
  • The jury's verdict was unanimous; there wasn't a scintilla of doubt.

Variants and Related Words

• Scintillate (verb): To emit sparks or to flash; to be brilliantly clever or lively.
  • The diamond scintillated under the gallery lights.
• Scintillation (noun): The act of scintillating; a flash of light; a brilliant sparkle.
  • The scintillation of the stars was clear in the night sky.

Synonyms

• Speck: A tiny spot or particle.
• Iota: An extremely small amount.
• Whit: The smallest part or particle imaginable (often used in negative phrases: "not a whit").
• Trace: A very small quantity or indication.
• Glimmer: A faint or wavering light; a faint sign of something.

Idioms and Phrases

• "Not one scintilla": Absolutely none at all.
  • He showed not one scintilla of remorse for his actions.
• "Without a scintilla of evidence": Completely lacking any proof.
  • The case was dismissed without a scintilla of evidence.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a sparkling glittering particle
2. a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

Từ đồng nghĩa

• shred
• whit
• iota
• tittle
• smidgen
• smidgeon
• smidgin
• smidge