atomic
adj.adj. relating to atoms, which are the tiny building blocks of everything in the world. In science or tech, it can also mean something that is a single unit and cannot be split into smaller parts.
adj. relating to the structure, energy, or reactions of atoms. In technical contexts, it describes a process or unit that is indivisible or must be completed entirely or not at all.
The scientists studied the atomic structure of the new material.
The database ensures that every transaction is atomic, meaning it either finishes completely or does not change the data at all.
While the early twentieth century focused on the destructive potential of atomic energy, modern research often explores its role in carbon-neutral power generation and medical imaging.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Hellenic *ə- Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-) Proto-Indo-European *temh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-né- Ancient Greek τέμνω (témnō) Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Hellenic *-ós ▲ Ancient Greek -ος (-os)influ. Ancient Greek -ός (-ós) Ancient Greek τομός (tomós) Ancient Greek ἄτομος (átomos)bor. Latin atomusbor. Middle French athomebor. Middle English attome English atom Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Italic *-kos Latin -cus Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic ▲ New Latin atomus ▲ New Latin -icus New Latin atomicusbor. English atomic From atom + -ic, or borrowed from New Latin atomicus. Probably also a calque of French atomique.
Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun. In computing, it describes operations that are uninterruptible.