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atomism - 4 dictionary results
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at⋅om⋅ism

  [at-uh-miz-uhm]
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–noun
1. Also called atomic theory. Philosophy. the theory that minute, discrete, finite, and indivisible elements are the ultimate constituents of all matter.
2. Psychology. a method or theory that reduces all psychological phenomena to simple elements.
Origin:
1670–80

Related forms:
at⋅om⋅ist, noun
at⋅om⋅is⋅tic, at⋅om⋅is⋅ti⋅cal, adjective
at⋅om⋅is⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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at·om·ism   (āt'ə-mĭz'əm)   
n.   Philosophy
  1. The ancient theory of Democritus, Epicurus, and Lucretius, according to which simple, minute, indivisible, and indestructible particles are the basic components of the entire universe.
  2. A theory according to which social institutions, values, and processes arise solely from the acts and interests of individuals, who thus constitute the only true subject of analysis.
at'om·ist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Atomism

At"om*ism\, n. [Cf. F. atomisme.] The doctrine of atoms. See Atomic philosophy, under Atomic.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: at·om·ism
Pronunciation: 'at-&-"miz-&m
Function: noun
1 : a doctrine that the universe is composed of simpleindivisible minute particles
2 : a psychological doctrine that perceptions, thoughts, and all mental processes are built up by the combination of simple elements
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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