Diatom

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈdaɪətÉ™m/
• US IPA: /ˈdaɪətɑːm/

Origin

From Ancient Greek διά (dia, "through") + τέμνειν (temnein, "to cut"), i.e., "cut in half"

Full definition of diatom

Noun

1. A group of minute unicellular algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, now categorized as class or division Bacillariophyta, formerly all included in the order , now obsolete.

Derived terms

• diatomaceous
• diatomite