Scintillate
/ˈsɪn.tɪ.leɪt/noun
To emit flashes of light or sparkle; also, to be animated or brilliant.
Did you know?Its root is tied to Latin words for a spark or ember, and it ultimately comes from the same ancient family as “cinder,” so every “sparkle” carries the ghost of fire.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ken-
“to ignite, burn, or shine”
Latin
Latin
scintilla
“a spark, small spark of fire”
Late Latin
Latin
scintillāre
“to sparkle, emit sparks”
Old French
Old French
scintiller
“to sparkle, glitter”
14th-16th Century
English
scintillate
“to sparkle or flash with light”