atomicsn.
/əˈtɒmɪks/, U.S. /əˈtɑmɪks/ Usually with singular agreement. The science or study of atoms, esp. in relation to atomic energy and atomic weapons or (formerly) chemical phenomena; atomic physics. Also: atomic energy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > [noun]
atomics1822
atomic physics1852
microphysics1885
1822 B. Oakley Let. 6 Nov. (1823) 370 Your obliging favour of the 2d instant..reached me yesterday, together with Higgins's book upon ‘The Theory of Atomics’ [sc. ‘Experiments and Observations on the Atomic Theory, and Electrical Phenomena’ by William Higgins (1814)].
1842 London & Edinb. Monthly Jrnl. Med. Sci. Aug. 687 Just as a future perfected chemistry, or rather atomics, shall stand above mechanics.
1872 Chambers's Encycl. II. 379/2 One idea possessed him to the close of his life—the possibility of reconstructing the whole science of atomics. He never..abandoned his early conviction that chemical elements..might be transmuted into each other.
1958 Listener 24 Apr. 688/1 It is something of a surprise to those who think of atomics entirely in terms of reactors and power stations.
1977 D. Bagley Enemy xvii. 145 Microbiology isn't like atomics; you don't need a particle accelerator costing a hundred million.
1996 Orlando Sentinel (Nexis) 17 May a18 Central-station power, coming mostly from coal, wind, hydro or atomics.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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