polyatomic

adjective

poly·atom·ic ˌpä-lē-ə-ˈtä-mik

: containing more than one and especially more than two atoms

polyatomic molecules

Word History

Etymology

earlier, in sense "polyvalent," borrowed from French polyatomique, from poly- poly- + atomique atomic

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of polyatomic was in 1857

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polyargyrite

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polyautographic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Polyatomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyatomic. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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