Meaning
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.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
From Middle English attome, from Middle French athome, from Latin atomus (“smallest particle”), from Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos, “indivisible”), from ἀ- (a-, “not”) + τέμνω (témnō, “to cut”, o-grade in τομ-) + -ος (-os). Atoms are so named because they were historically thought up as to be the smallest unit of matter, and thus indivisible. Doublet of atomus.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
coatom
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 27 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-08-27TAMORWY
- 2026-07-31MAILOPT
- 2026-07-13MACILOT
- 2026-04-02OATMINY
- 2026-03-10MARNCOT
- 2026-02-21MACINOT
- 2025-12-31TUAOFCM
- 2025-07-25MATNIOV
- 2025-06-19OVATMIR
- 2025-06-01MAWORTY
- 2024-12-12OATMINZ
- 2024-11-15MAELOPT
+15 earlier appearances in the archive.