scintillate

American  

[sin-tl-eyt] / ˈsɪn tlˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

scintillated, scintillating

1. to emit sparks.

2. to sparkle; flash.

   a mind that scintillates with brilliance.

3. to twinkle, as the stars.

4. Electronics. (of a spot of light or image on a radar display) to shift rapidly around a mean position.

5. Physics.

   1. (of the amplitude, phase, or polarization of an electromagnetic wave) to fluctuate in a random manner.

   2. (of an energetic photon or particle) to produce a flash of light in a phosphor by striking it.

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verb (used with object)

scintillated, scintillating

1. to emit as sparks; flash forth.

scintillate British  

/ ˈsɪntɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. (also tr) to give off (sparks); sparkle; twinkle

2. to be animated or brilliant

3. physics to give off flashes of light as a result of the impact of particles or photons

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Other Word Forms

• scintillant adjective
• scintillantly adverb

Etymology

Origin of scintillate

First recorded in 1615–25, scintillate is from the Latin word scintillātus (past participle of scintillāre to send out sparks, flash). See scintilla, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The other scintillating confession comes in the back of an SUV when Ratner drags it out of Melania that her favorite musician is Michael Jackson.

From Los Angeles Times

Sharp finishes from Bath's scintillating backs further rewarded the bruising first-half effort from their forwards.

From BBC

Silver is on a scintillating run, skyrocketing nearly 160% over the past 12 months to near a record high of about $80 an ounce.

From Barron's

It was the second highest score in Big Bash history, only to be surpassed by the Heat in a scintillating chase in front of 25,000 fans in Brisbane.

From BBC

They know their audience will be far more attracted to Owens and her wild speculation than they ever could be to the less scintillating truth.

From Salon