atomy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a tiny particle or diminutive being; an atom or mote

   The poet imagined each atomy of dust dancing in the light.

From Latin atomi, plural of atomus ('atom'), misdivided in English as 'an atomy'; ultimately from Ancient Greek átomos ('indivisible'). A separate sense ('skeleton') arose by misreading 'anatomy'.

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