atomy

atomy 1[at-uh-mee] ExamplesWord Origin noun, plural at·o·mies.

1. an atom; mote.
2. a small creature; pygmy.

Origin of atomy 1 1585–95; singular use of Latin atomī, plural of atomus atom atomy 2[at-uh-mee] noun, plural at·o·mies.

1. a skeleton.

Origin of atomy 2 1590–1600; variant of anatomy (taken as an atomy) Examples from the Web for atomies Historical Examples of atomies

Bring a good glass into the service, and you see a whole cloud of these atomies.

The Sea

Jules Michelet

The surgeons are atomies and pettifoggers, who kill more than they cure.

Character Writings of the 17th Century

Various

British Dictionary definitions for atomies atomy 1 noun plural -mies archaic

1. an atom or minute particle
2. a minute creature

Word Origin for atomy C16: from Latin atomī atoms, but used as if singular; see atom atomy 2 noun plural -mies

1. an obsolete word for skeleton

Word Origin for atomy C16: from mistaken division of anatomy (as if an atomy) Word Origin and History for atomies n.

1590s, “atoms,” also “diminutive beings,” from atomy, from Latin atomi, plural of atomus (see atom), but taken as a singular in English and re-pluralized in the native way. Perhaps also in some cases a plural of atomy (from misdivision of anatomy).