Etymologically
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atomicus

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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