atomy
1 Americannoun
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atomies
plural
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an atom; mote.
-
a small creature; pygmy.
noun
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atomies
plural
noun
-
an atom or minute particle
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a minute creature
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of atomy1
1585–95; singular use of Latin atomī, plural of atomus atom
Origin of atomy2
1590–1600; variant of anatomy (taken as an atomy )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Wait felt so strange that he took the furry atomy without protest, and popped it into his mouth without any feelings that it was going to be nasty.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Deary me, Babette,” exclaimed the widow, altering her tone, “I wonder how the corporal is: poor dear man, to be ruled by such a traitorous atomy as he.”
From Snarley-yow or The Dog Fiend by Frederick Marryat
So is the eldest boy—a little white atomy!
From Marcella by Mrs. Humphry Ward
“Yer mither wull be proud o’ ye the nicht,” said the Incubus on the atomy, “when it’s tell’t her that ye hae whanged at an auld machine, and frichtet twa leddies to the skirlin’!
From Tales from "Blackwood," Volume 2 by Various
Well, I am sure!" said Annie, throwing her arms around poor mother: "who could have thought that little atomy had such an outrageous spirit!
From Lorna Doone A Romance of Exmoor by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore
“Epicurus maintains that everything we see, we see because a fine film of atomies is constantly shed by all matter, a sort of mist of particles which strikes the eye.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Besides, we find little atomies exactly like these alive now in many seas; and therefore it is fair to suppose these lived in the sea also.
From Madam How and Lady Why by Charles Kingsley
Look not so wilder'd; for these things are true, And never can be born of atomies That buzz about our slumbers, like brain-flies, Leaving us fancy-sick.
From Endymion A Poetic Romance by John Keats
So, at least, says Liebig, who states that he found a small piece of matchwood, just extinguished, burst out again into a flame on being immersed in the bubbles given out by these living atomies.
From Glaucus, or the Wonders of the Shore by Charles Kingsley
Thirty-two years since, up against the sun, Seven shapes, thin atomies to lower sight, Labouringly leapt and gained thy gabled height, And four lives paid for what the seven had won.
From Poems on Travel by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
