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étinceler

to sparkle, to glitter

verb eh-tan-suh-LEH Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Appearance

Origin: From étincelle ('spark'), from Latin scintilla

Also means

to gleam, to flash

Usage Note

Étinceler describes the bright, rapid flashing of light — stars, jewels, eyes, or wit can all étinceler. It takes the -er pattern but note the doubled 'l' in some conjugated forms (il étincelle, ils étincellent). The related noun is une étincelle ('a spark'), and the adjective étincelant is its common participial form.

Examples

"Les étoiles étincelaient dans le ciel d'hiver."

Natural Translation

The stars sparkled in the winter sky.

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