atom

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See also: Atom, атом, atóm, àtom, atom-, and atom'

English

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WOTD – 23 October 2016

Alternative forms

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A stylized representation of a lithium atom based on the Rutherford model

Etymology

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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, “I cut”). Atoms are so named because historically the notion was that they were indivisible, given that chemically they are indeed so; the splitting of atoms awaited a later era of science and technology, and nonchemical means.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom (plural atoms)

  1. (chemistry, physics) 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. [from 16th c.]
    Synonyms: see Thesaurus:atom
    Meronyms: proton, neutron, electron
    • 2013 September–October, Katie L. Burke, “In the news: Photosynthesis precursor”, in American Scientist‎[1], archived from the original on 13 April 2016:
      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.
  2. (history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter. [from 15th c.]
  3. (now generally regarded figuratively) The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something. [from 17th c.]
    • 1835, John Ross, James Clark Ross, “Chapter XXXIV. Labour in Cutting through the Ice—Become Fixed for the Winter—Summary of the Month.”, in Narrative of a Second Voyage in Search of a North-west Passage, and of a Residence in the Arctic Regions, during the Years 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833; by Sir John Ross, C.B., K.S.A., K.C.S., &c. &c. Captain in the Royal Navy. Including the Reports of Commander (now Captain) J. C. Ross, R.N., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. and the Discovery of the Northern Magnetic Pole, Philadelphia, Pa.: E. A. Carey & A. Hart; Baltimore, Md.: Carey, Hart & Co., →OCLC, pages 283–284:
      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.
    • 1863, Charles Reade, Hard Cash‎[2]:
      But at this critical moment the pirate astern sent a mischievous shot and knocked one of the men to atoms at the helm.
  4. (philosophy) In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.
  5. (historical) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second. [from 10th c.]
  6. A mote of dust in a sunbeam. [from 16th c.]
  7. A very small amount; a whit. [from 17th c.]
    Synonyms: particle, speck; see also Thesaurus:modicum
    • 1873, “Pansy” [pseudonym; Isabella Macdonald Alden], “A Double Crisis”, in Three People, Cincinnati, Oh.: Western Tract and Book Society, 176 Elm Street, →OCLC, page 325:
      "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.
    • 1943 November – 1944 February (date written; published 1945 August 17), George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], chapter I, in Animal Farm […], London: Secker & Warburg, published May 1962, →OCLC, page 8:
      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.
  8. (computing, programming, Lisp) An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value. [from 20th c.]
  9. (mathematics) A non-zero member of a partially ordered set that has only zero below it (assuming that the poset has a least element, its "zero"). [from 20th c.]
    Antonym: coatom
    In a Venn diagram, an atom is depicted as an area circumscribed by lines but not cut by any line.
  10. (mathematics, set theory) An element of a set that is not itself a set; an urelement. [from 20th c.]
  11. (Canada, usually attributive) An age group division in hockey for nine- to eleven-year-olds.

Derived terms

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Descendants

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  • → Swahili: atomi

Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

See also

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Further reading

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Anagrams

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Albanian

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Noun

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atom m (definite atomi)

  1. (physics, chemistry) atom

Further reading

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  • “atom”, in FGJSH: Fjalor i gjuhës shqipe [Dictionary of the Albanian language] (in Albanian), 2006
  • “atom”, in FGJSSH: Fjalor i gjuhës së sotme shqipe [Dictionary of the modern Albanian language]‎[3] (in Albanian), 1980

Breton

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom m (collective, plural atomennoù, singulative atomenn)

  1. (physics) atoms

Derived terms

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Crimean Tatar

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Etymology

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From English atom

Noun

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atom

  1. (physics) atom

Declension

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Declension of atom
singular plural
nominative atom atomlar
genitive atomnıñ atomlarnıñ
dative atomğa atomlarğa
accusative atomnı atomlarnı
locative atomda atomlarda
ablative atomdan atomlardan

References

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Czech

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom m inan

  1. (physics) atom

Declension

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Declension of atom (hard masculine inanimate)
singular plural
nominative atom atomy
genitive atomu atomů
dative atomu atomům
accusative atom atomy
vocative atome atomy
locative atomu atomech
instrumental atomem atomy
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Further reading

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  • “atom”, in Příruční slovník jazyka českého (in Czech), 1935–1957
  • “atom”, in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého (in Czech), 1960–1971, 1989

Danish

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Etymology

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Via German Atom n and Latin atomus f from Ancient Greek ἄτομοι (φύσεις) f (átomoi (phúseis)), ἄτομα (σώματα) n (átoma (sṓmata), “indivisible particles of matter”).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom n (singular definite atomet, plural indefinite atomer)

  1. atom

Declension

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Declension of atom
neuter
gender 		Singular Plural
indefinite definite indefinite definite
nominative atom atomet atomer atomerne
genitive atoms atomets atomers atomernes

Hungarian

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Etymology

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From English atom, from Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos, “indivisible”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + τέμνω (témnō, “I cut”).[1]

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): [ˈɒtom]
  • Hyphenation: atom
  • Rhymes: -om

Noun

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atom (plural atomok)

  1. atom

Declension

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Inflection (stem in -o-, back harmony)
singular plural
nominative atom atomok
accusative atomot atomokat
dative atomnak atomoknak
instrumental atommal atomokkal
causal-final atomért atomokért
translative atommá atomokká
terminative atomig atomokig
essive-formal atomként atomokként
essive-modal — —
inessive atomban atomokban
superessive atomon atomokon
adessive atomnál atomoknál
illative atomba atomokba
sublative atomra atomokra
allative atomhoz atomokhoz
elative atomból atomokból
delative atomról atomokról
ablative atomtól atomoktól
non-attributive
possessive - singular 		atomé atomoké
non-attributive
possessive - plural 		atoméi atomokéi
Possessive forms of atom
possessor single possession multiple possessions
1st person sing. atomom atomjaim
2nd person sing. atomod atomjaid
3rd person sing. atomja atomjai
1st person plural atomunk atomjaink
2nd person plural atomotok atomjaitok
3rd person plural atomjuk atomjaik

Derived terms

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Compound words

References

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  1. ^ Tótfalusi, István. Idegenszó-tár: Idegen szavak értelmező és etimológiai szótára (’A Storehouse of Foreign Words: an explanatory and etymological dictionary of foreign words’). Budapest: Tinta Könyvkiadó, 2005. →ISBN

Further reading

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  • atom in Bárczi, Géza and László Országh. A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára (“The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language”, abbr.: ÉrtSz.). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN
  • atom in Nóra Ittzés, editor, A magyar nyelv nagyszótára [A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (Nszt.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 2006–2031 (work in progress; published a–ez as of 2024).

Indonesian

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Indonesian Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia id

Etymology

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Internationalism, borrowed from Dutch atoom (“atom”), from French atome, from Latin atomus, from Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom (plural atom-atom, first-person possessive atomku, second-person possessive atommu, third-person possessive atomnya)

  1. (chemistry, nuclear physics) atom, 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.
  2. (figurative) modern
    Synonyms: modern, mutakhir
  3. (figurative) plastic, a synthetic, solid, hydrocarbon-based polymer, whether thermoplastic or thermosetting.
    Synonym: plastik

Derived terms

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Further reading

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Kashubian

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Etymology

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Internationalism; possibly borrowed from German Atom or Polish atom, ultimately from Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos, “indivisible”).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈa.tɔm/
  • Rhymes: -atɔm
  • Syllabification: a‧tom

Noun

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atom m inan (related adjective atomowi)

  1. (physics) atom

Further reading

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  • Jan Trepczyk (1994) “atom”, in Słownik polsko-kaszubski (in Kashubian), volumes 1–2
  • Eùgeniusz Gòłąbk (2011) “atom”, in Słownik Polsko-Kaszubski / Słowôrz Pòlskò-Kaszëbsczi‎[4]
  • “atom”, in Internetowi Słowôrz Kaszëbsczégò Jãzëka [Internet Dictionary of the Kashubian Language], Fundacja Kaszuby, 2022

Malay

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Etymology

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From English atom, from Old French atome, from Latin atomus, from Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom (Jawi spelling اتوم, plural atom-atom, informal 1st possessive atomku, 2nd possessive atommu, 3rd possessive atomnya)

  1. (physics) atom (physics: smallest possible amount of matter retaining its chemical properties)

Norwegian Bokmål

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Norwegian Bokmål Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia nb

Etymology

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From Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos, “indivisible, uncut, undivided”), both from ἀ- (a-, “not, without”), from Proto-Hellenic *ə- (“un-, not; without, lacking”), from Proto-Indo-European *n̥- (“not, un-”) + and from τέμνω (témnō, “I cut, hew, wound, butcher”), from Proto-Indo-European *tm̥-n-h₁-, from *temh₁- (“to cut”).

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom n (definite singular atomet, indefinite plural atom or atomer, definite plural atoma or atomene)

  1. (chemistry, physics) an atom (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)
    et atom består av en atomkjerne omgitt av elektroner
    an atom consists of an atomic nucleus surrounded by electrons
    • 1943, Carl Fred. Holmboe, Michael Faraday, page 94:
      tinnklorid … består av et atom tinn og to atomer klor
      tin chloride… consists of one atom of tin and two atoms chlorine tin chloride… consists of one atom of tin and two atoms of chlorine
    • 1943, Carl Fred. Holmboe, Michael Faraday, page 164:
      man var nådd frem til dets minste byggesten. Denne kalte Demokritos et atom: ἄτομος som betyr udelelig
      one had reached its smallest building block. This one called Democritus an atom: ἄτομος which means indivisible
    • 1951, Agnar Mykle, Morgen i appelsingult, page 42:
      det var nok atomene [som har forårsaket katastrofen] likevel, som jeg trodde!
      it was probably the atoms [that caused the disaster] anyway, as I thought!
    • 2014, Nasjonal digital læringsarena‎[ndla.no]:
      for å forstå hvordan stoffer reagerer med hverandre, og hvorfor de ulike stoffene har forskjellige egenskaper, må vi først lære om de minste byggesteinene i naturen, nemlig atomer
      to understand how substances react with each other, and why the different substances have different properties, we must first learn about the smallest building blocks in nature, namely atoms
  2. (figuratively) an atom (the smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something)
    Synonyms: grann, partikkel, smule
    • 1865, H. Schulze, Fra Lofoten og Solør, page 87:
      [stokken] maatte styrte udover ham og knuse ham til atomer
      [the stick] had to crash over him and crush him into atoms
    • 1891, Arne Garborg, Trætte Mænd, page 230:
      i samvittighedsnaget en draabe smigret forfængelighed – Og i forfængeligheden et atom selvforagt
      in the gnaw of conscience a drop of flattered vanity - And in vanity an atom of self-loathing
    • 1910, Sven Elvestad, Angsten, page 29:
      i et lidet atom af tid synes han fremdeles han er et andet og fjernt sted
      in a small atom of time he still thinks he is another and distant place

Derived terms

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References

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Anagrams

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Norwegian Nynorsk

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Norwegian Nynorsk Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia nn

Etymology

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From Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos).

Noun

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atom n (definite singular atomet, indefinite plural atom, definite plural atoma)

  1. an atom

Derived terms

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References

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Old Irish

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin atomus.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom m

  1. atom, mote

Inflection

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Masculine o-stem
Singular Dual Plural
Nominative atom atomL atoimL
Vocative atoim atomL atomuH
Accusative atomN atomL atomuH
Genitive atoimL atom atomN
Dative atomL atomaib atomaib
Initial mutations of a following adjective:
  • H = triggers aspiration
  • L = triggers lenition
  • N = triggers nasalization

Descendants

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Polish

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French atome.[1]

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom m inan (related adjective atomowy)

  1. (physics) atom [with genitive ‘of what’]
  2. nuclear device (something that operates thanks to nuclear energy)

Declension

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Declension of atom
singular plural
nominative atom atomy
genitive atomu atomów
dative atomowi atomom
accusative atom atomy
instrumental atomem atomami
locative atomie atomach
vocative atomie atomy

Derived terms

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nouns

Derived terms

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adjectives
adverbs
verbs

References

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  1. ^ Mirosław Bańko, Lidia Wiśniakowska (2021) “atom”, in Wielki słownik wyrazów obcych, →ISBN

Further reading

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  • atom in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
  • atom in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Romanian

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French atome, from Latin atomus.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom m (plural atomi)

  1. atom

Declension

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singular plural
+ indefinite article + definite article + indefinite article + definite article
nominative/accusative (un) atom atomul (niște) atomi atomii
genitive/dative (unui) atom atomului (unor) atomi atomilor
vocative atomule atomilor

Further reading

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Serbo-Croatian

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Etymology

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From Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ǎtoːm/
  • Hyphenation: a‧tom

Noun

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àtōm m (Cyrillic spelling а̀то̄м)

  1. atom

Declension

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Declension of atom
singular plural
nominative àtōm atomi
genitive atóma atoma
dative atomu atomima
accusative atom atome
vocative atome atomi
locative atomu atomima
instrumental atomom atomima

References

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  • “atom”, in Hrvatski jezični portal [Croatian language portal] (in Serbo-Croatian), 2006–2024

Swedish

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Noun

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atom c

  1. atom; the smallest particle to retain the properties of the element
  2. (historical) atom; the theoretically smallest possible particle

Declension

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Declension of atom
nominative genitive
singular indefinite atom atoms
definite atomen atomens
plural indefinite atomer atomers
definite atomerna atomernas
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See also

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References

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Turkish

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Etymology

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Borrowed from French atome.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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atom (definite accusative atomu, plural atomlar)

  1. (physics) atom
  2. a kind of sugary drink common in and around Mersin province

Declension

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Inflection
Nominative atom
Definite accusative atomu
Singular Plural
Nominative atom atomlar
Definite accusative atomu atomları
Dative atoma atomlara
Locative atomda atomlarda
Ablative atomdan atomlardan
Genitive atomun atomların
Possessive forms
Nominative
Singular Plural
1st singular atomum atomlarım
2nd singular atomun atomların
3rd singular atomu atomları
1st plural atomumuz atomlarımız
2nd plural atomunuz atomlarınız
3rd plural atomları atomları
Definite accusative
Singular Plural
1st singular atomumu atomlarımı
2nd singular atomunu atomlarını
3rd singular atomunu atomlarını
1st plural atomumuzu atomlarımızı
2nd plural atomunuzu atomlarınızı
3rd plural atomlarını atomlarını
Dative
Singular Plural
1st singular atomuma atomlarıma
2nd singular atomuna atomlarına
3rd singular atomuna atomlarına
1st plural atomumuza atomlarımıza
2nd plural atomunuza atomlarınıza
3rd plural atomlarına atomlarına
Locative
Singular Plural
1st singular atomumda atomlarımda
2nd singular atomunda atomlarında
3rd singular atomunda atomlarında
1st plural atomumuzda atomlarımızda
2nd plural atomunuzda atomlarınızda
3rd plural atomlarında atomlarında
Ablative
Singular Plural
1st singular atomumdan atomlarımdan
2nd singular atomundan atomlarından
3rd singular atomundan atomlarından
1st plural atomumuzdan atomlarımızdan
2nd plural atomunuzdan atomlarınızdan
3rd plural atomlarından atomlarından
Genitive
Singular Plural
1st singular atomumun atomlarımın
2nd singular atomunun atomlarının
3rd singular atomunun atomlarının
1st plural atomumuzun atomlarımızın
2nd plural atomunuzun atomlarınızın
3rd plural atomlarının atomlarının

Derived terms

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References

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Welsh

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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Noun

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atom m or f (plural atomau)

  1. atom
Derived terms
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  • (nonstandard) atomfa (“nuclear power station”)

Etymology 2

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Alternative forms

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Pronoun

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atom

  1. (literary) first-person plural of at
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