English Lexicon

Polyatomic

/ˌpɒliˈeɪtəmɪk/
adjectiveCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Describing a molecule that consists of more than one atom.

    "Water (H2O) is a polyatomic molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom."
  2. 2

    Referring to ions that contain multiple atoms.

    "Sulfate (SO4^2-) is a common polyatomic ion found in various chemical compounds."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'polyatomic' is derived from the Greek roots 'poly-', meaning 'many', and 'atomos', meaning 'indivisible'. It emerged in the early 19th century as chemistry began to explore the structure of molecules and compounds, reflecting the understanding that certain molecules consist of multiple atoms bonded together.

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