atom

  1. Noun.  The smallest, indivisible constituent part or unit of something.
  2. Noun.  (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.
  3. Noun.  (mathematics) A non-zero member of a Boolean algebra that is not a union of any other elements.
  4. Noun.  (historical) A theoretical particle of matter, imagined to be incapable of further division; the smallest possible unit of substance.
  5. Noun.  (obsolete) The smallest medieval unit of time, equal to fifteen ninety-fourths of a second.
  6. Noun.  (computing, programming) An individual number or symbol, as opposed to a list.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.