Atom

at′om, n. a particle of matter so small that it cannot be cut or divided, the unit of matter; anything very small.— adjs. Atom′ic , -al , pertaining to atoms.— ns. Atomic′ity ; Atomisā′tion ( med. ) the reduction of liquids to the form of spray; At′omism , the doctrine that atoms arranged themselves into the universe: the atomic theory; At′omist , one who believes in atomism.— adj. Atomis′tic .— adv. Atomist′ically .— n. At′omy , an atom, or mote: ( Shak. ) a pygmy.— Atomic philosophy , a system of philosophy enunciated by Demo crit us, which taught that the ultimate constituents of all things are indivisible particles, differing in form and in their relations to each other; Atomic theory , the hypothesis that all chemical combinations take place between the ultimate particles of bodies, uniting each atom to atom, or in proportions expre ed by some simple multiple of the number of atoms. [Gr. atomos — a , not, temnein , tamein , to cut. See Atom .]