quantum
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quan·tum
(kwŏn′təm)n. pl. quan·ta (-tə)
1. Physics
a. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.
b. This amount of energy regarded as a unit.
2. A quantity or amount.
3. A specified portion.
4. Something that can be counted or measured.
5. A unit of acetylcholine, released at the synaptic cleft of a neuromuscular junction.
adj.
Relating to or based upon quantum theory.
[Latin, from neuter of quantus, how great; see quantity.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
quantum
(ˈkwɒntəm)n, pl -ta (-tə)
1. (Atomic Physics) physics
a. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
b. a particle with such a unit of energy
2. amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
3. (often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can suffice: there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation.
4. something that can be quantified or measured
5. (modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important: a quantum improvement.
[C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
quan•tum
(ˈkwɒn təm)n., pl. -ta (-tə),
adj. n.
1. quantity or amount: the least quantum of evidence.
2. share; portion.
3. a large quantity.
4.
adj. a. the smallest excitation of a quantized wave or field, as a photon or phonon.
b. the fundamental unit of a quantized physical property, as angular momentum, and the smallest amount by which its magnitude can change.
5. sudden and significant: a quantum increase in productivity.
[1610–20; Latin quantus how much]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
quan·tum
(kwŏn′təm) Plural quanta
A unit of energy, especially electromagnetic energy, that is the smallest physical quantity that can exist on its own. A quantum acts both like a particle and like an energy wave. Photons are examples of quanta.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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| Noun | 1. | quantum - a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory quantity - the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable |
| 2. | quantum - (physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory) quantity, measure, amount - how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" quasiparticle - a quantum of energy (in a crystal lattice or other system) that has position and momentum and can in some respects be regarded as a particle |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
quantum
nounThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
quàntum
kvanttimäärämäärällinenmerkittäväsuuri
kvantummennyiség
量量子
quantum
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
quantum
[ˈkwɒntəm] adj [physics, mechanics] → quantique; [theory] → des quantaquantum leap quantum jump n (fig) → bond m en avantquantum mechanics n → mécanique f quantiqueCollins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
quantum
n pl <quanta> (Phys) → Quant nt; the quality of life cannot be measured as a quantum → Lebensqualität kann nicht in Zahlen ausgedrückt werden; the quantum of satisfaction → das (Aus)maß an Zufriedenheit
quantum
:quantum jump, quantum leap
n (Phys) → Quantensprung m; (fig) → Riesenschritt m
quantum mechanics
n sing → Quantenmechanik f
quantum number
n → Quantenzahl f
quantum physics
n sing → Quantenphysik f
quantum theory
n → Quantentheorie f
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
quantum
[ˈkwɒntəm] (Phys)1. n → quanto
2. adj (number) → quantico/a; (mechanics) → quantistico/a
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
quan·tum
n. L. quantum, unidad de energía.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012