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atomicus

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word atomicus

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 768, Aethicus Ister
Ultimate origin
Latin atomus
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin atomus
Italian attimo
Latin atomicus

Pronunciation

  • Classical: [aˈtɔ.mɪ.kʊs][1]
  • Ecclesiastical: [aˈtɔː.mi.kus][1]

Forms

atomicus (feminine atomica, neuter atomicum); first/second-declension adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin atomus (“atom”) + -icus.[1][2] Wiktionary notes that it looks like a borrowing of a Greek adjective in ⟨-ικός⟩ that is not attested, and thinks the New Latin word is probably modelled on French atomique.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

Its first known use is in the Cosmography of Aethicus Ister (c. 768), describing the earth; the MLW, with a query, takes it to mean consisting of dust.[3][2]

Semantic evolution

In New Latin it means atomic, relating to atoms.[1] English atomic appeared in the 1670s as a term of philosophy; its scientific sense dates from 1811.[4]

Timeline

  • c. 768 – Aethicus Ister uses it of the earth.[3][2]
  • 1670s – English atomic is used in philosophy.[4]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. (Medieval Latin) Perhaps consisting of dust.[3][2]
  2. (New Latin) Atomic.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ a b c Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
  4. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Atomicus.” Etymologically, 23 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/atomicus. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·