tetratomic

[ te-truh-tom-ik ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. having four atoms per molecule, especially of a specified kind.
2. having four replaceable atoms or radicals.

tetratomic

/ ˌtɛtrəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. composed of four atoms or having four atoms per molecule

   phosgene has tetratomic molecules

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetratomic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; tetr- ( def ) + atomic ( def )