/sin"tl ayt'/ , v. , scintillated, scintillating .
v.i.
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.
a. (of the amplitude, phase, or polarization of an electromagnetic wave) to fluctuate in a random manner.
b. (of an energetic photon or particle) to produce a flash of light in a phosphor by striking it.
v.t.
6. to emit as sparks; flash forth.
[ 1615-25; scintillatus (ptp. of scintillare to send out sparks, flash). See SCINTILLA, -ATE 1 ]