atom

Meanings

Plural: atoms

Noun

(physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
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.
The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.
A mote of dust in a sunbeam.
A very small amount; a whit.
An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value.
An integer representing a particular string.
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").
An element of a set that is not itself a set; an urelement.
An age group division in hockey for nine- to eleven-year-olds.

Origin / 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, “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. Doublet of atomus.

Synonyms

ace, atom, aught, bissel, bit, corpuscle, crumb, dab, damn, dash, diddly, dot, drop, dusting, fleck, flip, flyspeck, glimpse, glint, grain, halfpennyworth, hint, inch, iota, jot, lick, mite, modicum, molecule, morceau, morsel, mote, ooch, ounce, particle, pennyworth, piece, pinch, scantling, scent, scintilla, scooch, scrap, scruple, semblance, shred, skerrick, skoosh, skosh, sliver, smattering, smidge, smidgen, smidget, smidgy, smitch, smithereen, soupçon, spark, spatter, speck, speckle, spot, sprinkle, sprinkling, strain, tad, tidbit, tidge, tittle, toddick, touch, trace, trifle, tuppence worth, whiff, whit

Antonyms

coatom

Scrabble Score: 6

atom is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
atom is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
atom is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

atom is a valid Words With Friends word