Scintilla

Lat A spark; a remaining particie; the least particle.

— Scintilla jnris. In real property law. A spark of right or interest. By this figurative expression was denoted the small particle of interest which, by a fiction of law, was supposed to remain in a feoffee to uses, sufficient to support contingent uses afterwards coming into existence, and thereby enable the statute of uses (27 Hen. VIII. c. 10) to execute them. See 2 Washb. Real Prop. 125; 4 Kent, Comm. 238.

— Scintilla of evidence. A spark, glimmer, or faint show of evidence. A metaphorical expression to describe a very insignificant or trifling item or particle of evidence; used in the statement of the common-law rule that if there is any evidence at ali in a case, even a mere scintilla, tending to support a material issue, the case cannot be taken from the jury, but must be left to their decision. See Offutt v. World's Columbian Exposition, 175 111. 472, 5l N. E. 651.