monad

[ mon-ad, moh-nad ]

noun

1. Biology.
   1. any simple, single-celled organism.
   2. any of various small, flagellate, colorless ameboids with one to three flagella, especially of the genus Monas.
2. Chemistry. an element, atom, or group having a valence of one. Compare dyad ( def 3 ), triad ( def 2a ).
3. Philosophy.
   1. (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.
   2. (in the philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a basic and irreducible metaphysical unit that is spatially and psychically individuated.
   3. any basic metaphysical entity, especially having an autonomous life.
4. a single unit or entity.

monad

/ ˈmɒnæd; ˈməʊ- /

noun

1. -ads-ades-əˌdiːz philosophy
   1. any fundamental singular metaphysical entity, esp if autonomous
   2. (in the metaphysics of Leibnitz) a simple indestructible nonspatial element regarded as the unit of which reality consists
   3. (in the pantheistic philosophy of Giordano Bruno) a fundamental metaphysical unit that is spatially extended and psychically aware
2. a single-celled organism, esp a flagellate protozoan
3. an atom, ion, or radical with a valency of one

Derived Forms

• moˈnadical, adjective
• moˈnadically, adverb

Other Words From

• mo·nad·ic [m, uh, -, nad, -ik], mo·nadi·cal mo·nadal adjective
• mo·nadi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of monad¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin monad- (stem of monas), from Greek monás (stem monád- ) “unity, monad”; mon-, -ad ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of monad¹

C17: from Late Latin monas, from Greek: unit, from monos alone

Example Sentences

The me is a monad, that is, an indivisible unity; of this there can be no doubt.

From Project Gutenberg

From the monad proceeds an indefinite duad, which is subordinate to the monad as to its cause.

From Project Gutenberg

Genius watches the monad through all his masks as he performs the metempsychosis of nature.

From Project Gutenberg

In short, each monad is a little Leibniz for ever increasing the sum of its knowledge.

From Project Gutenberg

All this carbon has played its part, and many parts in its time, as animal existences from monad up to man.

From Project Gutenberg