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Scintilla

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a tiny trace or amount

Where does the word "scintilla" come from? It comes from Latin scintilla, adopted directly into English (1690s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
scintilla
Latin · ancient
"spark"
a spark; 'scintillate' and, through Old French, 'tinsel' share the root
2
Stage 2 of 2
scintilla
English · 1690s
"tiny trace"
'not a scintilla of evidence' became a lawyers' phrase
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Read the full story

Scintilla’s story begins in Latin: scintilla meant “spark.” A spark; 'scintillate' and, through Old French, 'tinsel' share the root. It reached English by 1690s as scintilla. 'not a scintilla of evidence' became a lawyers' phrase. Today, scintilla means a tiny trace or amount.