Found 2 items, similar to atomic theory.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: atomic theory
atomic theory
n 1: a theory of the structure of the atom
2: (chemistry) any theory in which all matter is composed of
tiny discrete finite indivisible indestructible particles;
“the ancient Greek philosophers Democritus and Epicurus
held atomic theories of the universe” [syn:
atomism,
atomist theory
,
atomistic theory] [ant:
holism]
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Atomic theory
Theory
\The"o*ry\, n.; pl.
Theories. [F. th['e]orie, L.
theoria, Gr. ? a beholding, spectacle, contemplation,
speculation, fr. ? a spectator, ? to see, view. See
Theater.]
1. A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in
speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice;
hypothesis; speculation.
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Note:
“This word is employed by English writers in a very
loose and improper sense. It is with them usually
convertible into hypothesis, and hypothesis is commonly
used as another term for conjecture. The terms theory
and theoretical are properly used in opposition to the
terms practice and practical. In this sense, they were
exclusively employed by the ancients; and in this
sense, they are almost exclusively employed by the
Continental philosophers.” --Sir W. Hamilton.
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2. An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any
science; as, the theory of music.
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3. The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory
and practice of medicine.
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4. The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either
physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion;
Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments.
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Atomic theory,
Binary theory, etc. See under
Atomic,
Binary, etc.
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Syn: Hypothesis, speculation.
Usage:
Theory,
Hypothesis. A theory is a scheme of the
relations subsisting between the parts of a systematic
whole; an hypothesis is a tentative conjecture
respecting a cause of phenomena.
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Atomic
\A*tom"ic\, Atomical
\A*tom"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. atomique.]
1. Of or pertaining to atoms.
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2. Extremely minute; tiny.
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Atomic bomb, see
atom bomb in the vocabulary.
Atomic philosophy, or
Doctrine of atoms, a system which,
assuming that atoms are endued with gravity and motion,
accounted thus for the origin and formation of all things.
This philosophy was first broached by Leucippus, was
developed by Democritus, and afterward improved by
Epicurus, and hence is sometimes denominated the Epicurean
philosophy.
Atomic theory, or the
Doctrine of definite proportions
(Chem.), teaches that chemical combinations take place
between the supposed ultimate particles or atoms of
bodies, in some simple ratio, as of one to one, two to
three, or some other, always expressible in whole numbers.
Atomic weight (Chem.), the weight of the atom of an element
as compared with the weight of the atom of hydrogen, taken
as a standard.
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