atom, atome, atomy (1), atom us

[In Sw., Dan., & Ger. atom; Fr. atome; Sp., Port., & Ital. atomo; Lat. atom us, as substan. an indivisible element; as adj. = undivided, indivisible; from Gr. ἄτομος (atomos) (1) uncut, (2) that cannot be cut, indivisible: from a, priv., and τέμνω (temno) = to cut.] * A. Of the form atom us, pl . atom i. (This form is found in Bacon.) B. Of the forms atom and * atome. [ATOMY.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. Lit .: Anything composed of matter which, to our senses, seems too small to be divided again; anything very minute, without reference to whether or not it can be divided again. [ATOMY.] "Measures an atom , and now girds a world." Cowper: Task , bk. i. "The sun,' says Daniel Culver well, 'discovers atomes , though they be invisible by candle-light, and makes them dance naked in his beains.'"- Tyndall : Frag. of Science , 3rd ed., xi. 291. 2. Figuratively: (1.) Any immaterial thing, viewed as very small; the smallest amount. "He [King James II. would yield nothing more, not an atom ; and, after his fashion, he vehemently repeated ated many times, 'Not an atom.'"-Macaulay: Hist. Eng ., ch. ix. (2.) Man, viewed as no more than a speck or invisible point in creation. "And teach these atoms, thou hast made, thy praise?" Cowper: Glory to God Alone. II. Technically : 1. Mental Phil.: A particle of matter so infinitely small that it cannot again be subdivided; the idea of a divided atom-that is, of a division of that which cannot be divided being self-contradictory. It is a mental conception simply for the senses cannot take cognizance of anything so minute. 2. Nat. Phil .: One of the exceedingly minute ultimate particles of matter, aggregates of an immense number of which, held in their place by molecular forces, constitute all material bodies. 3. Chem. The smallest particle into which an element can be divided. An atom cannot exist in a separate state, but unites with one or more atoms to form a molecule. The atoms of different elements have definite relative weights fixed and invariable for each, the weight of an atom of hydrogen being regarded as unity. [ELEMENT.] atom-like, adj. Like an atom; exceedingly minute. "They all would vanish, and not dare appeare, Who atom - like when their sun shined cleare, Danc'd in his beame." Browne: Britannia's Pastorals , ii. 1.