Lewis & Short

scintilla, ae, f. dim. [kindr. with σπινθήρ], a spark (class.).

  1. I. Lit.; sing.: videmus Accedere ex unā scintillā incendia passim, Lucr. 5, 609; 4, 606; Verg. A. 1, 174; Ov. M. 7, 80; Liv. 38, 7 al.: parva saepe scintilla contempta excitavit incendium, Curt. 6, 3, 11.
    Plur., Lucr. 2, 675; 6, 163; Verg. A. 12, 102; Quint. 8, 5, 29 al.
    1. B. Transf., a bright, sparkling point: nullis ut in auro lucentibus scintillis, Plin. 33, 6, 31, § 95.
  2. II. Trop., a spark, glimmer, faint trace: scintilla ingenii, Cic. Rep. 2, 21, 31: belli, id. Fam. 10, 14, 2: isti tantis offusis tenebris ne scintillam quidem ullam nobis ad dispiciendum reliquerunt, id. Ac. 2, 19, 61: ne scintillam quidem relinques, genus qui congliscat tuom, Plaut. Trin. 3, 2, 52.