Definitions of diatom [ˈdaɪ ə təm, -ˌtɒm]

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Definition of 'diatom'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) diatom
any of numerous mostly marine algae of the class Bacillariophyceae (phylum Chrysophyta), each one-celled alga being enclosed in an intricately patterned double shell of silica, one shell fitting over the other like a box lid.

Etymology: (1835–45; < NL Diatoma orig. a genus name, fem. n. based on Gk diátomos cut in two. See dia -, -tome)

Definition of 'diatom'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) diatom
microscopic unicellular marine or freshwater colonial alga having cell walls impregnated with silica

Definition of 'diatom'

Webster Dictionary

1. (noun) diatom
one of the Diatomaceae, a family of minute unicellular Algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous division. By some authors diatoms are called Bacillariae, but this word is not in general use

2. (noun) diatom
a particle or atom endowed with the vital principle

'diatom' - Nearby Entries
diathermy machine diathesis diatom diatomaceous earth diatomic diatomite diatomophyceae

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