Definitions for: Atom


[n] (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
[n] (physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element



Webster (1913) Definition: At"om, n. [L. atomus, Gr. ?, uncut, indivisible; 'a priv.
+ ?, verbal adj. of ? to cut: cf. F. atome. See Tome.]
1. (Physics)
(a) An ultimate indivisible particle of matter.
(b) An ultimate particle of matter not necessarily
indivisible; a molecule.
(c) A constituent particle of matter, or a molecule
supposed to be made up of subordinate particles.

Note: These three definitions correspond to different views
of the nature of the ultimate particles of matter. In
the case of the last two, the particles are more
correctly called molecules. --Dana.

2. (Chem.) The smallest particle of matter that can enter
into combination; one of the elementary constituents of a
molecule.

3. Anything extremely small; a particle; a whit.

There was not an atom of water. --Sir J. Ross.


At"om, v. t.
To reduce to atoms. [Obs.] --Feltham.

Synonyms: molecule, mote, particle, speck

See Also: carbon atom, chemical element, chylomicron, element, elementary particle, free radical, fundamental particle, grain, hydrogen atom, isotope, material, matter, monad, nucleus, radical, stuff, subatomic particle, substance

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