Latin for spark. The smallest, minute trace. A miniature particle, e.g. the presence of a “scintilla of evidence.”
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
Lat. A spark; a remaining particle; the least particle. Scintilla Juris. 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. 23a Scintilla of evidence. A spark, glimmer, or faint show of evidence. A metaphorical expression to describe a very insignificant or triing item or particle of evidence; used in the statement of the common law rule that if there is any evidence at all 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, 51 N. E. 651. Scire deboa cam quo eontrabis. You ought to know with whom you deal. 11 Mees. A W. 405, 632; 13 Mees. & W. 171. Scire et scire debere ssquiparantur in Jure. To know a thing, and to be bound to know it are regarded in law as equivalent Tray. Leg. Max. 551.