DIATOM

diatom

(noun) microscopic unicellular marine or freshwater colonial alga having cell walls impregnated with silica

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

diatom (plural diatoms)

Any of a group of minute unicellular algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, now categorized as class Diatomophyceae or division Bacillariophyta.

Anagrams

• Tomida

Source: Wiktionary

Di"a*tom, n. Etym: [Gr. Diatomous.]

1. (Bot.)

Definition: One of the Diatomaceæ, a family of minute unicellular Algæ having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous division. By some authors diatoms are called Bacillariæ, but this word is not in general use.

2. A particle or atom endowed with the vital principle. The individual is nothing. He is no more than the diatom, the bit of protoplasm. Mrs. E. Lynn Linton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition