atom
[ˈæɾm̩]
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.72 in modern English
6
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
2
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons.
noun
A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.
noun
The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.
noun
In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.
noun
The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.
noun
An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value.
Example Sentences
- "Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: the ability to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and waste oxygen using solar energy. The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the water-oxidizing complex, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom."
- "Towards the following morning, the thermometer fell to 5°; and at daylight, there was not an atom of water to be seen in any direction."
- "But at this critical moment the pirate astern sent a mischievous shot and knocked one of the men to atoms at the helm."
- ""Doctor, tell me one word more," said Theodore, quivering with suppressed emotion. "How do you think it will end?" / "I have hardly the faintest atom of hope," answered this honest, earnest man."
- "We are born, we are given just so much food as will keep the breath in our bodies, and those of us who are capable of it are forced to work to the last atom of our strength; and the very instant that our usefulness has come to an end we are slaughtered with hideous cruelty."
- "In a Venn diagram, an atom is depicted as an area circumscribed by lines but not cut by any line."
Etymology
From Middle English attome, from Middle French athome, from Latin atomus (“smallest particle”), from Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos, “indivisible”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + τέμνω (témnō, “to cut”, o-grade in τομ-) + -ος (-os). Atoms are so named because they were historically thought up as to be the smallest unit of matter, and thus indivisible. Doublet of atomus.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: [ˈæɾm̩]