scintill-, scintil-, scinti-

The twinkling of stars (fluctuation of intensity) as seen through a planet's atmosphere: Atmospheric scintillation is caused by a star's light being distorted by the Earth's atmosphere and atmospheric scintillation is greater for bright stars that are low on the horizon.

The scintigraphy (a two-dimensional picture of a bodily radiation source) of the lacrimal ducts to determine whether or how much they are blocked.

1. An imaging procedure in which antibodies labeled with radioactive substances are given to the patient then a picture is taken of sites in the body where the antibody localizes.
2. Scintigraphic imaging of a lesion using labeled monoclonal antibodies or antibody fragments which are specific for the antigen associated with the lesion.

The Sun emits blobs of plasma (known as the solar wind). Depending on the geometry, rays through different blobs can be focused to a single point. A sort of "twinkling" known as interplanetary scintillation can therefore be observed.

1. Imaging of small anatomic structures by use of a radionuclide in conjunction with a special collimator which "magnifies" the image.
2. Imaging of small anatomic structures by use of a radionuclide in conjunction with a special collimator which "magnifies" the image; for example, the use of technetium-99m in conjunction with a pinhole collimator to image the lacrimal drainage.

Cisternography performed with a radiopharmaceutical and recorded with a stationary imaging device.

Cisternography is the radiographic study of the basal cisterns of the brain after the subarachnoid introduction of an opaque or other contrast medium, or a radiopharmaceutical with a suitable detector.

An image or other record of part of the body obtained by measuring radiation from an introduced radioactive tracer by means of scintillation or an analogous detection method.

From scinti (llation) plus gram.

1. A device for producing scintigrams.
2. A scintigram: A two-dimensional record of the distribution of a radioactive tracer in a tissue or organ, obtained by means of a scanning scintillation counter.

1. The production and use of scintigrams or two-dimensional images of the distributions of a radioactive tracer in a body organ; such as, the brain or a kidney, obtained using a special scintiscanner (an apparatus used in diagnosing some diseases that produces an image, a scintigram, of the distribution in the body of a radioactive tracer that has been administered to the patient).
2. The process of producing a scintigram.

1. A very small or tiny particle that glistens: Paul could see the scintillas of dust glittering in the sunshine in his living room.
2. Something that is very small, a smidgen: The recipe called for a scintilla of salt which was much less than the usual amount.
3. A small trace or barely perceptible amount of something; such as, proof supporting a position: There isn't a scintilla of evidence to support the politician's accusations that his opponent is a liar.
4. Etymology: from Latin scintilla, "particle of fire, a spark, a glittering speck." © ALL rights are reserved.
© ALL rights are reserved.

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1. Scintillating; emitting sparks.
2. Having brief brilliant points or flashes of light.

A device for viewing the effect of ionizing radiation, alpha particles, on a fluorescent screen

Lexicomedy definition: Carousing all night ("sin till late").

1. To twinkle rapidly as of stars. When stars are scintillating it is a result of constantly small changes in the atmosphere's density.
2. To express, emit, or to incite liveliness: To scintillate a conversation or performance results in it being much more interesting.
3. Etymology: from Latin scintillare, "to sparkle, to flash." © ALL rights are reserved.

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A well-known "scintillating" poem

Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivific!

Fain would I fathom thy nature specific,

Distantly poised in the ether capacious,

Closely resembling a gem carbonaceous.

Do you have a problem understanding this sesquipedalian version? If so, here it is in a simple format.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star!

How I wonder what you are,

Up above the world so high,

Like a diamond in the sky.

1. Referring to that which sparkles or shines: Karen is wearing her scintillating diamond necklace while she is singing at the opera.
2. Relating to something or someone that is interesting, exciting, and clever: Jack and Jill were having a scintillating conversation with a scintillating personality when they were at their friend's birthday party yesterday.
3. Etymology or origin: from Latin scintillatus, past participle of scintillare "to sparkle, to glitter." © ALL rights are reserved.

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