quanta
Use Quanta in a sentence
tə noun
plural of quantum.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun
1.
quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
2.
a particular amount.
3.
a share or portion.
4.
a large quantity; bulk.
5.
Physics.
a.
the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
b.
the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.
adjective
6.
sudden and significant: a quantum increase in productivity.
Origin:
1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much
1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To quanta
00:10
Quanta
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Collins
quantum (ˈkwɒntəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -ta | |
| 1. | physics |
| a. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory | |
| b. a particle with such a unit of energy | |
| 2. | amount or quantity, esp a specific amount |
| 3. | (often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can suffice: there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation |
| 4. | something that can be quantified or measured |
| 5. | (modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important: a quantum improvement |
| [C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
quantum
1619, "one's share or portion," from L. quantum "how much," neut. sing. of quantus "how great" (see quantity). Introduced in physics by Max Planck, 1900; reinforced by Einstein, 1905. Quantum theory is from 1912; quantum mechanics, 1922; quantum jump is first recorded 1955; quantum leap, 1970.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
quantum quan·tum (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.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| quantum (kwŏn'təm) Pronunciation Key
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 © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
In other words, the physical difference between the color categories is much clearer than their ancestral quanta.
Light consists of discrete units, or quanta, of energy known as photons.
Sound quanta are called phonons, and atoms absorb and release them.
We need to get the quanta and the gravity to talk to each other right.
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