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quanta

 - 10 dictionary results
Quanta
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quan⋅ta

  [kwon-tuh]
–noun
pl. of quantum.
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quan⋅tum

  [kwon-tuhm] noun, plural -ta  [-tuh] , adjective
–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; n. use of neut. of L quantus how much
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To quanta
quan·ta   (kwŏn'tə)   
n.  Plural of quantum.
quan·tum   (kwŏn'təm)   
n.   pl. quan·ta (-tə)

  1. A quantity or amount.

  2. A specified portion.

  3. Something that can be counted or measured.

  4. Physics

    1. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.

    2. This amount of energy regarded as a unit.

adj.  Relating to or based upon quantum mechanics.

[Latin, from neuter of quantus, how great; see quantity.]
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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Cultural Dictionary

quanta [(kwahn-tuh)]

sing. quantum

In physics, discrete bundles in which radiation and other forms of energy occur. For example, in the Bohr atom, light is sent out in quanta called photons. (See quantum mechanics.)

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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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: quanta
plural of QUANTUM

Main Entry: quan·tum
Pronunciation: 'kwänt-&m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural quan·ta /'kwänt-&/
1 : one of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided quantum of light>
2 : one of the small molecular packets of a neurotransmitter (as acetylcholine) released into the synaptic cleft in the transmission of a nerve impulseacross a synapse
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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quantum quan·tum (kwŏn'təm)
n. pl. quan·ta (-tə)

  1. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.

  2. This amount of energy regarded as a unit.

  3. 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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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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