diatom

diatom
An individual of microscopic unicellular algae, the shells of which compose a sedimentary infusorial earth. [G. diatomos, cut in two]

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di·a·tom 'dī-ə-.täm n any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomite

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di·a·tom (diґə-tom) any of numerous unicellular microscopical forms of alga having a wall of silica; authorities disagree as to which phylum of kingdom Protista to put them in. Several species are toxic and can cause the ocean condition called red tide. The skeletal siliceous remains of many others are mined from deposits and used as filtering and abrasive agents. See also infusorial earth, under earth.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Diatom — Di a*tom (d[imac] [.a]*t[o^]m), n. [Gr. dia tomos cut in two. See {Diatomous}.] 1. (Bot.) One of the {Diatomace[ae]}, a family of minute unicellular Alg[ae] having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Diatōm — (v. gr., Miner.), was nach einer Richtung leicht theilbar ist; z.B. Diatomischer Schillerspath, so v.w. Schillerspath; Diatomischer Kuphonspath, so v.w. Laumontit …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Diatom — Diatom, bei Mohs Mineralien, die nach einer Richtung leicht theilbar sind, z.B. Schillerspath, der deßwegen vorzugsweise D. genannt wird …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • diatom — 1845, coined from Gk. diatomos cut in two, from diatemnein to cut through, from dia through (see DIA (Cf. dia )) + temnein to cut (see TOME (Cf. tome)). So called because they typically appear to have been cut in half. Related: Diatomic …   Etymology dictionary

  • diatom — ► NOUN Biology ▪ a single celled alga which has a cell wall of silica. DERIVATIVES diatomaceous adjective. ORIGIN from Greek diatomos cut in two …   English terms dictionary

  • diatom — [dī′e täm΄, dī′ətəm] n. [ModL diatoma < Gr diatomos, cut in two < diatemnein, to cut through < dia , through + temnein, to cut: see TOMY] any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of microscopic algae (division Chromophycota), one celled or in… …   English World dictionary

  • Diatom — For a molecule of two atoms, see Diatomic molecule. Diatoms Marine diatoms Scientific classification Domain …   Wikipedia

  • diatom — /duy euh teuhm tom /, n. any of numerous microscopic, unicellular, marine or freshwater algae of the phylum Chrysophyta, having cell walls containing silica. [1835 45; < NL Diatoma orig. a genus name, fem. n. based on Gk diátomos cut in two. See… …   Universalium

  • Diatom Enterprises — Type Private Industry Software development, IT consulting Founded Riga, Latvia (2004) Headquarters Riga, Latvia Key people …   Wikipedia

  • diatom ooze — noun : deep sea deposits rich in diatoms * * * diatom ooze noun A deep sea deposit of diatom frustules • • • Main Entry: ↑diatom …   Useful english dictionary

  • diatom — noun Etymology: ultimately from Greek diatomos cut in half, from diatemnein to cut through, from dia + temnein to cut more at tome Date: 1845 any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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