scintillate

[ sin-tl-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing.

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.

verb (used with object)

, scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing.

1. to emit as sparks; flash forth.

scintillate

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈscintillant, adjective
• ˈscintillantly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scintillate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of scintillate¹

C17: from Latin scintillāre, from scintilla a spark

Example Sentences

A scintillating start to his pro career yielded 14 stoppages in 15 fights.

From BBC

Wood was scintillating, at one stage bowling in excess of 97mph, only to later pull up in his 15th over.

From BBC

The large balding man in long sleeves roars with every splashed basket, gestures with every scintillating pass, face reddening, arms flailing, celebrating so hard he once ripped a hole in his dress shirt.

From Los Angeles Times

The home side made a strong start at a raucous Recreation Ground, and Hill finished a scintillating move after being set free down the right.

From BBC

While nowhere near his scintillating best, the former world number one showed flashes of the brilliance that has made him so loved, but not enough to stringently test Zverev.

From BBC