monad
Biology.
any simple, single-celled organism.
any of various small, flagellate, colorless ameboids with one to three flagella, especially of the genus Monas.
Chemistry. an element, atom, or group having a valence of one.: Compare dyad (def. 3), triad (def. 2a).
Philosophy.
(in the metaphysics of Leibniz) an unextended, indivisible, and indestructible entity that is the basic or ultimate constituent of the universe and a microcosm of it.
(in the philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a basic and irreducible metaphysical unit that is spatially and psychically individuated.
any basic metaphysical entity, especially having an autonomous life.
a single unit or entity.
Origin of monad
1Other words from monad
- mo·nad·ic [muh-nad-ik], /məˈnæd ɪk/, mo·nad·i·cal, mo·nad·al, adjective
- mo·nad·i·cal·ly, adverb
Words Nearby monad
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use monad in a sentence
The me is a monad, that is, an indivisible unity; of this there can be no doubt.
Fundamental Philosophy, Vol. I (of 2) | Jaime Luciano BalmesFrom the monad proceeds an indefinite duad, which is subordinate to the monad as to its cause.
A History of Science, Volume 1(of 5) | Henry Smith WilliamsGenius watches the monad through all his masks as he performs the metempsychosis of nature.
Essays, First Series | Ralph Waldo EmersonIn short, each monad is a little Leibniz for ever increasing the sum of its knowledge.
History of Modern Philosophy | Alfred William BennAll this carbon has played its part, and many parts in its time, as animal existences from monad up to man.
Mistakes of Moses | Robert G. Ingersoll
British Dictionary definitions for monad
/ (ˈmɒnæd, ˈməʊ-) /
plural -ads or -ades (-əˌdiːz) philosophy
any fundamental singular metaphysical entity, esp if autonomous
(in the metaphysics of Leibnitz) a simple indestructible nonspatial element regarded as the unit of which reality consists
(in the pantheistic philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a fundamental metaphysical unit that is spatially extended and psychically aware
a single-celled organism, esp a flagellate protozoan
an atom, ion, or radical with a valency of one
Origin of monad
1- Also called (for senses 1, 2): monas
Derived forms of monad
- monadical, adjective
- monadically, adverb
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
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