scintilla
scintilla
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "scintilla" is:
/sɪnˈtɪl.ə/
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
scin /sɪn/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (as in "sun")
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "bit")
/n/ - alveolar nasal (as in "nose")
til /ˈtɪl/
/ˈtɪ/ - the primary stress is on this syllable.
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop (as in "top")
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (as in "bit")
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant (as in "light")
la /ə/
/ə/ - mid-central vowel (schwa, as in "about")
Word Form Variations
Singular:
scintilla
Plural:
scintillae
Here's some additional context:
"Scintilla" is a noun.
It comes from Latin, and the plural form "scintillae" follows Latin grammatical rules.
In common English usage, especially in phrases like "not a scintilla of evidence," "scintilla" is often used as an uncountable noun, so the plural is less common. However the plural form does exist.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1:
A minute, barely perceptible amount or trace of something, often used to emphasize its near-absence.
Example: "There wasn't a scintilla of remorse in his voice."
Synonyms: trace, iota, shred, speck, hint, glimmer, smidgen, particle, whit.
Antonyms: abundance, plethora, multitude, mass, excess.
Definition 2:
A tiny spark or flash of light; a fleeting, brilliant point.
Example: "Scintillas of light danced on the water's surface."
Synonyms: spark, flash, glint, flicker, shimmer.
Antonyms: darkness, solid mass, dullness.
Definition 3:
In a legal context, it is the smallest amount of evidence that is possible.
Example: "The lawyer argued that there was not even a scintilla of evidence to convict his client."
Synonyms: shred of evidence, trace of proof, minimal indication.
Antonyms: conclusive evidence, irrefutable proof.
Word Class Notes:
"Scintilla" is overwhelmingly used as a noun.
It does not commonly function as a verb, adjective, or adverb in standard English usage.
Examples of Use
Newspapers and Online Publications:
Legal Context:
"There is not a scintilla of evidence that this is true." (Washington Examiner) This usage is very common in legal and political reporting, where it indicates a complete lack of proof.
"Yet in all its 725 prosecutions, the Justice Department hasn't presented a scintilla of evidence supporting the hypothesis."1 (WSJ)
Political Discourse:
"The President did not provide a scintilla of evidence to back up his claim." (CNN) This showcases the words use when politicians make claims that lack proof.
"There is not a scintilla of doubt over who controls Facebook." (The Economist)
General Usage:
"There's even a scintilla of road feel that comes through—more than expected." (Tribune News Service) Here, "scintilla" describes a very small, but noticeable, quality.
"Like all good propaganda, the story was mostly false, but with a scintilla of truth." (Time) This shows how it can be used to show a very small portion of truth within a larger amount of falseness.
Literary and General Discourse:
The word is used to express very small amounts of items, or feelings. For example, "there was not a scintilla of remorse." This is a use that can be found in many novels, and in general conversation.
"a scintilla of hope" is another common phrase, that is used in many forms of media.
Key Observations:
The phrase "not a scintilla of" is extremely common, highlighting the word's role in conveying the absence of something.
"Scintilla" is often used in formal writing and speech, particularly in legal and political contexts.
10 Famous Quotes Using Scintilla
"I have not a scintilla of doubt about my choice." — Winston Churchill
"The truth is rarely pure and never simple. There is not a scintilla of truth in what you heard." — Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
"If there be a scintilla of love left in you, it will overcome your pride." — Charles Dickens
"The law requires not a scintilla of evidence, but such evidence as would satisfy a reasonable man." — U.S. Supreme Court (legal maxim, often cited in judgments)
"There is not a scintilla of evidence that civilization has ever been carried to a higher stage by men who have not been agriculturists." — Henry George
"I feel within me a scintilla of hope that tomorrow will be brighter." — Thomas Carlyle
"The man who has not a scintilla of poetry in his soul will never understand the beauty of music." — Robert Schumann
"Not a scintilla of comfort can be found in self-pity." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I do not have a scintilla of faith in luck; I believe in preparation." — Thomas Edison
"Without a scintilla of remorse, he pursued power as though it were his birthright." — William Makepeace Thackeray
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "scintilla" in a simple way:
Latin Roots:
The word "scintilla" comes directly from Latin. In Latin, "scintilla" meant "a spark" or "a tiny glowing point." Think of those little sparks that fly off a fire or when two stones strike each other.
Original Meaning:
So, the very first meaning of "scintilla" was related to light—a small, bright flash.
Evolution of Meaning:
Over time, the meaning broadened. Instead of just referring to literal sparks of light, "scintilla" began to be used to describe any very small amount of something.
This is how we get its modern meaning: a tiny trace, a minuscule bit. So, when someone says, "There's not a scintilla of evidence," they mean there's not even the tiniest spark or trace of proof.
First Known Use:
Since it is a latin word, it's use goes back to ancient latin texts. Pinpointing the very first use is difficult, but it was used in classical latin. The transition to its modern use has occurred over many centuries.
In essence, "scintilla" started as a word for a tiny spark of light and then expanded to mean any tiny bit of something.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Scintilla
“Scintilla" isn't a word that lends itself to a wide range of idioms in the same way that, say, "heart" or "time" does. Its use is quite specific. However, we can explore its common phrasing and find some related expressions.
Common Phrases:
"Not a scintilla of...":
This is by far the most prevalent usage. It's used to emphasize the complete absence of something.
Examples:
"Not a scintilla of evidence."
"Not a scintilla of doubt."
"Not a scintilla of remorse."
"A scintilla of...":
This phrase is used to indicate a very small amount of something.
Example:
"A scintilla of hope."
"A scintilla of truth."
Why It's Limited:
"Scintilla" is a relatively formal word.
Its meaning is very precise, making it less adaptable to figurative language.
It's primarily used in contexts where precision is important, such as legal and political discourse.
Phrases with Synonyms:
To give you a broader sense of the concept, here are some phrases that use synonyms with similar effects:
"Not a shred of...":
This is a very common alternative.
Example: "Not a shred of proof."
"Not an iota of...":
"Iota" also signifies a very small amount.
Example: "Not an iota of concern."
"Not a trace of...":
This is another very common way to express the same idea.
Example: "Not a trace of hesitation."
"A hint of...":
This phrase is commonly used to show a very small indication of something.
Example: "A hint of spice".
While "scintilla" itself has a limited range of idiomatic expressions, understanding its core meaning allows us to recognize its use in emphasizing the extremely small.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of scintilla from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
