scintillae

Noun

scintilla (plural scintillae or scintillas)

1. A small spark or flash.
   • If the action of the electrodynamic waves is so violent that, even without artificial electrification of the secondary conductor, scintillæ occur in its spark-gap, the aluminium leaves remain almost without change.1890, Philosophical Magazine, page 364
2. (figuratively) A small or trace amount.
   • a scintilla of hope

   Synonyms:

   ace, atom, thought, atomy, aught, bissel, continental, bit, crumb, glimpse