Wiktionary

atomize

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

atom +‎ -ize

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈætəmaɪz/
  • Audio (Southern England)(file)

Verb edit

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 edit

Translations edit

See also edit

Galician edit

Verb edit

atomize

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

Portuguese edit

Verb edit

atomize

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