Meaning

noun (physics) a flash of light that is produced in a phosphor when it absorbs a photon or ionizing particle

noun a rapid change in brightness; a brief spark or flash

noun a brilliant display of wit

originEtymology tree English scintillate Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English -ion English scintillation From scintillate + -ion.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0