scintilla

noun /sɪnˈtɪlə/

1. A small spark or flash.

   If the action of the electrodynamic waves is so violent that, even without artificial electrification of the secondary conductor, scintillæ occur in its spark-gap, the aluminium leaves remain almost without change.

2. A small or trace amount.

   figuratively

   And, if I except the sagacious remark of General Duane which has been so curtly brushed aside, not a scintilla of light has been cast upon these causes by any researches ever published by the Lighthouse Board of Washington.

Where it comes from

Existing in English since the 17th century; borrowed from Latin scintilla (“spark”).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry scintilla (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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