quantum [kwon-tuh m] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for quantum on Thesaurus.com noun, plural quan·ta [kwon-tuh] /ˈkwɒn tə/.
- quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
- a particular amount.
- a share or portion.
- a large quantity; bulk.
- Physics.
- the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck’s constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
- the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.
adjective
- sudden and significant: a quantum increase in productivity.
Origin of quantum 1610–20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much quantum sufficit [kwahn-too m soof-i-kit; English kwon-tuh m suhf-uh-sit] adverb Latin.
- as much as suffices; enough.
Related Words for quantum sum, amount, portion, measure, total, unit Examples from the Web for quantum Contemporary Examples of quantum
He majored in mathematical physics, studying mind-bending theories of quantum mechanics and partial differential equations.
How the NSA Became a Killing Machine
Shane Harris
November 9, 2014
Weird as the theory is, invoking “quantum physics” is not an escape clause from obeying physical laws.
Dear NASA: Fuel-Free Rocket Thruster Is Literally Too Good to Be True
Matthew R. Francis
August 4, 2014
Each type of atom and molecule has its own unique spectrum, according to the rules of quantum mechanics.
SAMI Is Like Google Earth for the Universe
Matthew R. Francis
July 27, 2014
Which is why it continues to go forward, even as the odds for success dip to the quantum level.
Jamelle Bouie
September 18, 2013
And they wield unheard of computing power; they manage to harness the immense amounts of information inherent in quantum waves.
The Big Idea: Werner Loewenstein’s ‘Physics in Mind’
Werner Loewenstein
February 8, 2013
Historical Examples of quantum
I have something to tell you,” said Brandon grinning, “about the quantum jump.
Robert Wicks
In respect to foreigners the only guide is that of “quantum meruit.”
William Henry Smyth
The only question then left was the quantum of damages, to be assessed by a jury.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 4 of 8
Various
Now, no matter what the quantum might have been, it loses energy in kicking the atom.
John Wood Campbell
Quantum sufficit, my boy,” he said; “but I will eat a few of your grapes.
George Manville Fenn
British Dictionary definitions for quantum quantum noun plural -ta (-tə)
- physics
- the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
- a particle with such a unit of energy
- amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
- (often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can sufficethere is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation
- something that can be quantified or measured
- (modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally importanta quantum improvement
Word Origin for quantum C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much Word Origin and History for quantum n.
1610s, “one’s share or portion,” from Latin quantum (plural quanta) “as much as, so much as; how much? how far? how great an extent?” neuter singular of correlative pronomial adjective quantus “as much” (see quantity). Introduced in physics directly from Latin by Max Planck, 1900; reinforced by Einstein, 1905. Quantum theory is from 1912; quantum mechanics, 1922; quantum jump is first recorded 1954; quantum leap, 1963, often figurative.
quantum in Medicine quantum [kwŏn′təm] n. pl. quan•ta (-tə)
- The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.
- This amount of energy regarded as a unit.
- A quantity or an amount.
quantum in Science quantum [kwŏn′təm] Plural quanta
- A discrete, indivisible manifestation of a physical property, such as a force or angular momentum. Some quanta take the form of elementary particles; for example, the quantum of electromagnetic radiation is the photon, while the quanta of the weak force are the W and Z particles. See also quantum state.