Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

scintillate

 - 4 dictionary results

scin⋅til⋅late

  [sin-tl-eyt] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
Use scintillate in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
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.
–verb (used with object)
6. to emit as sparks; flash forth.
Origin:
1615–25; < L scintillātus (ptp. of scintillāre to send out sparks, flash). See scintilla, -ate 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To scintillate
scin·til·late   (sĭn'tl-āt')   
v.   scin·til·lat·ed, scin·til·lat·ing, scin·til·lates

v.   intr.

  1. To throw off sparks; flash.

  2. To sparkle or shine. See Synonyms at flash.

  3. To be animated and brilliant: dinner conversation that scintillated.

v.   tr.
To give off (sparks or flashes).

[Latin scintillāre, scintillāt-, from scintilla, spark.]
scin'til·lant adj., scin'til·lat'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

scintillate 
1623, from L. scintillatus, pp. of scintillare "to sparkle," from scintilla "spark" (see scintilla).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: scin·til·late
Pronunciation: 'sint-&l-"At
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: -lat·ed;-lat·ing
: to produce scintillation
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see scintillate on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way