ˌsint ə lˈāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin scintillation-, scintillatio, from scintillatus (past participle) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : an act or instance of scintillating ; especially : rapid changes in the brightness of a celestial body caused by turbulence in the earth's atmosphere : twinkling
2.
a.
(1) : a spark or flash emitted in scintillating (as from iron exposed to the oxyhydrogen flame)
(2) : a flash of light produced in a phosphor by an ionizing event (as impingement of an alpha particle)
b. : a scintillating or brilliant outburst (as of thought or genius)
c. : a flash of the eye (as in anger or merriment)
3. : scintilla