rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryscintillaTiny amount
noun

scintilla

sin-TIL-uh/sɪnˈtɪlə/

A tiny trace or barely detectable amount.

A scintilla of gold shines within the large dark stone.

One tiny bright speck of gold in a large plain dark stone, magnified visible speck, mostly stone.
Etymology
scintillaLatinspark, glittering speck

Latin scintilla meant a spark or glittering speck. That minute particle of fire supplied the figurative image for the smallest trace or barely detectable amount of anything.

More examples

  • She holds on to a scintilla of hope.
  • He agrees without a scintilla of doubt.
  • A scintilla of humor lightens the otherwise serious speech.

Forms

scintilla · scintillas · scintillae

Similar words

trace
More everyday; often suggests a detectable sign or remnant.
iota
Similarly emphasizes an extremely small amount, often in negatives.
shred
Suggests a small fragment, especially of evidence or dignity.