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. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 2. An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any science; as, the theory of music. [1913 Webster] 3. The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory and practice of medicine. [1913 Webster] 4. The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion; Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments. [1913 Webster] Atomic theory, Binary theory, etc. See under Atomic, Binary, etc. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Atomic \A*tom"ic\, Atomical \A*tom"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. atomique.] 1. Of or pertaining to atoms. [1913 Webster] 2. Extremely minute; tiny. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]