Wiktionary

atomize

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From atom +‎ -ize.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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atomize (third-person singular simple present atomizes, present participle atomizing, simple past and past participle atomized)

  1. (transitive) To separate or reduce into atoms.
  2. (transitive) To make into a fine spray.
  3. (transitive) To fragment; to break into small pieces or concepts.
    • 1979, Gould, Stephen J., and Richard C. Lewontin. "The Spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian Paradigm: A Critique of the Adaptationist Programme." Proceedings of the Royal Society of London 205: p. 585:
      An organism is then atomized into 'traits' and these traits are explained as structures optimally designed by natural selection for their functions.
  4. (transitive) To bomb with nuclear weapons.

Derived terms

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Translations

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See also

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Galician

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Verb

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atomize

  1. (reintegrationist norm) inflection of atomizar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative

Portuguese

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Verb

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atomize

  1. inflection of atomizar:
    1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
    2. third-person singular imperative
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