scintillation

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A flash of light; a spark.
2. (countable, uncountable)The twinkling of a star or other celestial body caused by turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere.

   “Do the stars scintillate at all altitudes? Is there any altitude at which it ceases to manifest itself? At Morges the stars in general scintillate at all altitudes, although feebly near the zenith; but on the nights when the scintillation is very faint, it ceases completely at a zenith distance of 45°.”

3. (countable, uncountable)The flash of light produced by something (especially a phosphor) when it absorbs ionizing radiation.
4. (countable, figuratively, uncountable)A brief expression that is amusing or clever; witticism.

   “[…]here and there were Latin inscriptions—obscene scintillations of wit[…]”