quantum
[ kwon-tuhm ]
/ ˈkwɒn təm /
noun, plural quan·ta [kwon-tuh]. /ˈkwɒn tə/.
quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
a particular amount.
a share or portion.
a large quantity; bulk.
Physics.
- the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
- the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.
adjective
sudden and significant: a quantum increase in productivity.
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What does "scattergood" mean?
a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.
a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTOrigin of quantum
1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much
Words nearby quantum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for quantum
British Dictionary definitions for quantum
quantum
/ (ˈkwɒntəm) /
noun plural -ta (-tə)
physics
- the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
- a particle with such a unit of energy
amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
(often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can sufficethere is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation
something that can be quantified or measured
(modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally importanta quantum improvement
Word Origin for quantum
C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much
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 quantum
quantum
[ kwŏn′təm ]
n. pl. quan•ta (-tə)
The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.
This amount of energy regarded as a unit.
A quantity or an amount.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for quantum
quantum
[ kwŏn′təm ]
Plural quanta
A discrete, indivisible manifestation of a physical property, such as a force or angular momentum. Some quanta take the form of elementary particles; for example, the quantum of electromagnetic radiation is the photon, while the quanta of the weak force are the W and Z particles. See also quantum state.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.