I.a spark (class.).
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.—
B. Transf., a bright, sparkling point: “nullis ut in auro lucentibus scintillis,” Plin. 33, 6, 31, § 95.—
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.