'atomize' originates from Greek via New Latin and French, specifically from Greek 'atomos' meaning 'uncut, indivisible' plus the suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein') meaning 'to make or to do'.

'atomos' (Greek) → Late Latin/New Latin forms → French 'atomiser' → English 'atomize' (formed in modern English usage), with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' attached to the combining form from 'atom-'.

Initially, it meant 'to reduce to atoms' (literally dividing into indivisible parts). Over time it retained the basic sense of 'breaking into very small parts' and broadened to include 'convert into a spray' and figurative senses like 'fragment or isolate.'