English Dictionary

atom

/ˈætəm/

noun

(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.

The atom is the basic unit of matter.

意味（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.

Meronyms: proton, neutron, electron

意味（2）

(history of science) A hypothetical particle posited by Greek philosophers as an ultimate and indivisible component of matter.

意味（3）

(now generally regarded figuratively) The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.

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.

意味（4）

(philosophy) In logical atomism, a fundamental fact that cannot be further broken down.

意味（5）

(historical) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.

意味（6）

A mote of dust in a sunbeam.

意味（7）

A very small amount; a whit.

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.

意味（8）

(computing, programming, Lisp) An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list; a scalar value.

意味（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").

In a Venn diagram, an atom is depicted as an area circumscribed by lines but not cut by any line.

意味（10）

(mathematics, set theory) An element of a set that is not itself a set; an urelement.

意味（11）

(Canada, usually attributive) An age group division in hockey for nine- to eleven-year-olds.