diatomic

[ dahy-uh-tom-ik ]

adjectiveChemistry.
  1. having two atoms in the molecule.

  2. containing two replaceable atoms or groups; binary.

Origin of diatomic

1
First recorded in 1865–70; di-1 + atomic

Other words from diatomic

  • di·at·o·mic·i·ty [dahy-at-uh-mis-i-tee], /ˌdaɪ æt əˈmɪs ɪ ti/, noun

Words Nearby diatomic

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How to use diatomic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diatomic

diatomic

/ (ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk) /


adjective
  1. ((of a compound or molecule))

    • containing two atoms

    • containing two characteristic groups or atoms: ethylene glycol is a diatomic alcohol

Derived forms of diatomic

  • diatomicity (ˌdaɪætəˈmɪsɪtɪ), noun

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