atomize
English
editAlternative forms
edit- atomise (non-Oxford British English)
Etymology
editPronunciation
edit- IPA(key): /ˈætəmaɪz/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
Verb
editatomize (third-person singular simple present atomizes, present participle atomizing, simple past and past participle atomized)
- (transitive) To separate or reduce into atoms.
- (transitive) To make into a fine spray.
- (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.
- 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:
- (transitive) To bomb with nuclear weapons.
Derived terms
editTranslations
editto separate or reduce into atoms
|
to make into a fine spray
|
to fragment, break into small pieces or concepts
|
See also
editGalician
editVerb
editatomize
- (reintegrationist norm) inflection of atomizar:
Portuguese
editVerb
editatomize
- inflection of atomizar: