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diatom

Pronunciation: /ˈdʌɪətəm/

Definition of diatom

noun

Biology
  • a single-celled alga which has a cell wall of silica. Many kinds are planktonic, and extensive fossil deposits have been found.
    • Class Bacillariophyceae, division Chromophycota or Heterokontophyta (or phylum Bacillariophyta, kingdom Protista)

Derivatives

diatomaceous

Pronunciation: /-ˈmeɪʃəs/

adjective

Origin:

mid 19th century: from modern Latin Diatoma (genus name), from Greek diatomos 'cut in two', from diatemnein 'to cut through'

diatom in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of diatom in the US English dictionary

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