verb
scintillate
SIN-tuh-layt/ˈsɪntəˌleɪt/
To emit sparkling flashes.
Sunlit ripples scintillate with tiny flashes across the blue water.
Etymology
Latin scintillare comes from scintilla, ‘spark’: the image is of light appearing in small, quick flashes. Early English use especially described the twinkling of stars.
More examples
- The stars scintillate in the clear night sky.
- Sunlight scintillates on the ripples.
- The diamond scintillated under the jeweler's bright lights.
Forms
scintillate · scintillates · scintillated · scintillating
scintillation noun — The emission of small flashes of light.