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diatomic

[ dahy-uh-tom-ik ]
/ ˌdaɪ əˈtɒm ɪk /

adjective Chemistry.

having two atoms in the molecule.
containing two replaceable atoms or groups; binary.

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Origin of diatomic

First recorded in 1865–70; di-1 + atomic

OTHER WORDS FROM diatomic

di·at·o·mic·i·ty [dahy-at-uh-mis-i-tee], /ˌdaɪ æt əˈmɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Words nearby diatomic

diathermy, diathesis, diatom, diatomaceous, diatomaceous earth, diatomic, diatomite, diatonic, diatonicism, diatreme, diatribe
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for diatomic

British Dictionary definitions for diatomic

diatomic
/ (ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk) /

adjective

((of a compound or molecule))
  1. containing two atoms
  2. containing two characteristic groups or atomsethylene glycol is a diatomic alcohol

Derived forms of diatomic

diatomicity (ˌdaɪætəˈmɪsɪtɪ), noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for diatomic

diatomic
[ dī′ə-tŏm′ĭk ]

adj.

Made up of two atoms.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.