scintillation

scin·til·la·tion  (sntl-shn)

n.

1. The act of scintillating.

2. A spark; a flash.

3. Astronomy Rapid variation in the light of a celestial body caused by turbulence in Earth's atmosphere; a twinkling.

4. Physics A flash of light produced in a phosphor by absorption of an ionizing particle or photon.

---

scintillation

the process of giving of sparks or flashes, used of wit or humor and of the twinkling of the stars.

See also: Processes

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	scintillation - (physics) a flash of light that is produced in a phosphor when it absorbs a photon or ionizing particle natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" light, visible light, visible radiation - (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation; "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"
	2.	scintillation - a rapid change in brightness; a brief spark or flash sparkling, twinkle alteration, change, modification - an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another; "the change was intended to increase sales"; "this storm is certainly a change for the worse"; "the neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago"
	3.	scintillation - a brilliant display of wit genius, brilliance - unusual mental ability
	4.	scintillation - the quality of shining with a bright reflected light glisten, glister, glitter, sparkle brightness - the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
	5.	scintillation - the twinkling of the stars caused when changes in the density of the earth's atmosphere produce uneven refraction of starlight wavering, fluctuation - the quality of being unsteady and subject to changes; "he kept a record of price fluctuations"