diatom
|di-a-tom|
/ˈdaɪətəm/
tiny algae with a glass-like shell
Etymology
'diatom' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'diatomos', where 'dia-' meant 'through' and 'temnein' meant 'to cut'.
'diatom' changed from the Greek word 'diatomos' into Neo-Latin 'diatoma' and entered scientific English in the 19th century as 'diatom'.
Initially, it meant 'cut in two' (referring to being bisected), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a microscopic, single-celled alga with a silica shell'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a single-celled photosynthetic alga with a cell wall made of silica, often forming ornate, microscopic shells (frustules); members of the class Bacillariophyceae.
Under the microscope, a diatom's frustule displayed intricate patterns.
Last updated: 2025/08/12 13:13