scintilla

[ sin-til-uh ]

noun

1. a minute particle; spark; trace:

   not a scintilla of remorse.

scintilla

/ sɪnˈtɪlə /

noun

1. a minute amount; hint, trace, or particle

Word History and Origins

Origin of scintilla¹

1685–95; < Latin: spark

Word History and Origins

Origin of scintilla¹

C17: from Latin: a spark

Example Sentences

Once you’ve finished with your nostrils, you have to put the swab in and squeeze and swirl it at the same time, which requires just a scintilla more skill than the others.

From Time

That had more than a scintilla of substance—is Mitt actually a political shape-shifter?

From The Daily Beast

How could anyone do all this without leaving behind a scintilla of microscopic evidence?

From The Daily Beast

Forde is among those who note that every scintilla of blame cannot be put on FitzPatrick and Drumm.

From The Daily Beast

It does take a certain talent to take Paul Newman and present the actor without a scintilla of excitement.

From The Daily Beast

I have not a scintilla of interest in being at court when the judge sentences him.

From The Daily Beast

I would not, Mr. President, give up a scintilla of that portion of the responsibility which the crisis imposes on me.

From Project Gutenberg

They had merely waited that scintilla of ocular confirmation of a known danger.

From Project Gutenberg

This seems to me to have not a scintilla of justice about it.

From Project Gutenberg

In these churches there were no fire altars; but the small scintilla of sacred fire preserved in them, was kept only in a lamp.

From Project Gutenberg

She is beautiful of course, but quite without charm or the slightest scintilla of wit.

From Project Gutenberg