Unnumbered source etymology
Original entry ↗noun
Selected source glosses provide context, not a complete modern definition inventoryThe smallest possible amount of matter which still retains its identity as a chemical element, now known to consist of a nucleus surrounded by electrons. · A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter. · The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something. · In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.
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.
Relationships mentioned by the source
These are extracted mentions, not a timeline or a verified sequence of immediate parents.
This page abbreviates 8 auxiliary source items. The etymology narrative is not shortened. Omission counts are available in the audit fields below; consult the original for complete auxiliary material.
Inspect preserved source fields
Raw extraction fields are retained for auditing. Their order does not establish ancestry.
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"expansion": "Middle French athome"
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"4": "",
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},
"expansion": "Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos, “indivisible”)"
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"nocat": "1"
},
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},
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{
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"lang_code": "sw",
"word": "atomi",
"raw_tags": [
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{
"pos": "noun",
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"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.",
"A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.",
"The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.",
"In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down."
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