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at·om
 atom
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- pronunciation:
- ae
t
 m
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
the smallest possible unit of a chemical element. The major parts of atoms contain protons, neutrons, and electrons. They are the basis of all matter in the universe.
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| definition 2: |
anything extremely small; tiny bit.
There was not an atom of food in the house after they left.- similar words:
- particle
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Atom is from an ancient Greek word that means "not able to be cut or divided."
The word atom
contains the following parts:
a-1, an-1
Greek
prefix
that means not, without
  More about this word part:
Words prefixed with a-1, an-1 are nouns and adjectives. Some are loanwords from Greek (amorphous, atrophy). Others are English formations, which may attach the prefix to English words of Latin origin (asocial, amoral) or Greek origin (apolitical). The form a-1 is used before bases beginning with a consonant, while an-1 is used before bases beginning with a vowel.
Example words:
abyss, amethyst, amnesia, anaemia, anarchy, anecdote, anemia, anesthesia, anonymous, apathy, atheist, atom
tom, -tome, -tomy, -stomy
Greek
root
that means to cut
Example words:
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