Library / English Dictionary

ATOMISE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Break up into small particles

Example:

the fine powder had been atomized by air

Synonyms:

atomise; atomize

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "atomise" is one way to...):

break up; fragment; fragmentise; fragmentize (break or cause to break into pieces)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

atom ((nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything)

atom ((physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element)

atomisation (separating something into fine particles)

atomiser (a dispenser that turns a liquid (such as perfume) into a fine mist)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Strike at with firepower or bombs

Example:

zap the enemy

Synonyms:

atomise; atomize; nuke; zap

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "atomise" is one way to...):

bomb; bombard (throw bombs at or attack with bombs)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

atomisation (annihilation by reducing something to atoms)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Spray very finely

Example:

atomize perfume

Synonyms:

atomise; atomize

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "atomise" is one way to...):

spray (scatter in a mass or jet of droplets)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

atom ((physics and chemistry) the smallest component of an element having the chemical properties of the element)

atomiser (a dispenser that turns a liquid (such as perfume) into a fine mist)

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