Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SCINTILLA

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explore the archives: Like jot, iota, and k___el, scintilla means "a tiny bit" or "a single piece" of something. While scintilla calls to mind a sparkle or a glimmering speck, k___el suggests a tiny piece of wheat or corn. make your point with... "SCINTILLA" Literally, a scintilla is a spark or a sparkle. Figuratively, a scintilla of something is a very small amount of it. Pronunciation: Say "sin TILL uh," and notice that you don't pronounce the "c," like in the word "scissors." Part of speech: Countable noun. (Countable nouns, like "bottle," "piece," and "decision," are words for things that can be broken into exact units. You talk about "a bottle," "three pieces," and "many decisions." Likewise, talk about one scintilla or multiple scintillas.) Other forms: The plural is "scintillas." "Scintillate," the verb, means to sparkle. It's such a fantastic word that we'll probably consider it in a later issue, along with the adjective "scintillating." How to use it: Talk about a scintilla of something, usually an abstract, uncountable thing: a scintilla of fame, a scintilla of enjoyment. Because a literal scintilla is a sparkle or a glimmer, you often use "scintilla" for positive things: a scintilla of truth, a scintilla of evidence, a scintilla of hope, a scintilla of humor. However, you can also talk about scintillas of neutral or negative things: a scintilla of doubt, a scintilla of pressure, a scintilla of resentment. We often use this word to talk about tiny specks of things that don't even exist: "She delivered the line without a scintilla of humor." "Not even a scintilla of evidence can be found." "You won't muster a scintilla of support for that." examples: Too often the public apology, amounting to "I'm sorry that you didn't like what I did," reveals no scintilla of regret. Firefly fans realize that a series reboot is highly unlikely, but we're harboring a scintilla of hope. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "scintilla" means when you can explain it without saying "tiny spark" or "shred." try it out: Think of something silly you don't believe--like a superstition, an old wives' tale, a popular misconception, or an urban legend. Fill in the blank: "The idea that _____ doesn't even have a scintilla of evidence." Example: "The idea that alligators infest the sewers of New York City doesn't even have a scintilla of evidence." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "You Know, That Thing!" This game challenges your powers of recall. Start a timer: twenty seconds if you're an adult, longer if you're a kid or an English language learner. Read the description of each thing, and come up with its name. Try to name all three before your timer runs out. (Scroll all the way down for the answers.) Ready? Go! 1. The effect caused by a change in waves' frequency as you move toward or away from their source is the… 2. Venue seating in which most seats are a little higher than the ones in front of them is called… 3. The rod that helps a bike stand up when it's not in motion is the… review today's word: 1. One opposite of SCINTILLA is A. ABUNDANCE B. EXPERIENCE C. SPECIFICITY 2. The job would have been hers, had she shown a scintilla of _____. A. her eligibility to work in the United States B. her recent work history C. enthusiasm for it Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. C Answers to game questions: 1. Doppler effect or Doppler shift 2. stadium seating or theater seating 3. kickstand