atomizev.
/ˈatəmʌɪz/, U.S. /ˈædəˌmaɪz/ 1.
a. transitive. To reduce to an atom or atoms. Chiefly figurative: to diminish in size or importance; (also) to divide into small units, esp. for the purpose of analysis, to fragment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > reduce in size or extent [verb (transitive)] > very small
atomize1645
speck1898
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > damage to reputation > disparagement or depreciation > disparage or depreciate [verb (transitive)]
littleeOE
low1340
dispraisec1386
minish1402
deroge1427
detractc1449
descryc1450
detrayc1475
dismerit1484
decline1509
vilipend1509
disprize?1518
disable1528
derogatea1530
elevate1541
disparagea1556
detrect1563
debase1565
demerit1576
vilify1586
disgrace1589
detracta1592
besparage1592
enervate1593
obtrect1595
extenuate1601
disvalue1605
disparagon1610
undervalue1611
avile1615
debaucha1616
to cry down1616
debate1622
decry1641
atomize1645
underrate1646
naucify1653
dedignify1654
stuprate1655
de-ample1657
dismagn1657
slur1660
voguec1661
depreciate1666
to run down1671
baffle1674
lacken1674
sneer1706
diminish1712
substract1728
down1780
belittle1789
carbonify1792
to speak scorn of1861
to give one a back-cap1903
minoritize1947
mauvais langue1952
rubbish1953
down-talk1959
marginalize1970
marginate1970
trash1975
neg1987
1645 J. Pell Let. 20 Jan. in J. Pell Corr. with C. Cavendish (2005) 399 Those ordinances that did atomize Pr. Ruperts whole Army, the other day, before Yorke.
1648 Earl of Westmorland Otia Sacra 13 When we behold the Morning Dew Dissolve ith' rising Sun: What would it shew? But that a Sun to us did rise, Our Fathers hoary sin to Atomise.
1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. v. i. 82 A man may make any thing good by such minute distinguishing, and atomizing matters to make them imperceptible.
1725 R. Burridge Hell in Uproar 8 If I..Once more should with my Forces tempt my Fate..And strive to atomize the World again.
1845 J. B. Mozley Blanco White in Ess. (1878) II. 130 Strange and melancholy is the idea that atomises truth.
1872 Overland Monthly May 481/2 His current theories have been but epitomized, or atomized.
1911 Harvard Stud. Classical Philol. 22 126 The ‘penetrating’ power of heat and cold was especially prominent in the thought of the Greeks; hence..their ability to divide and ‘atomize’ things was often dwelt upon.
1967 A. Thwaite in Sel. Poems 1956–1996 37 I hear the same story twice, and pass on A third version, atomized by now To fragments.
2007 Providence (Rhode Island) Jrnl. (Nexis) 11 July 2/1 He's like a scientist. He atomizes everything.
b. transitive. To turn (a substance, esp. a liquid) into very small particles or droplets.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of spraying > spray [verb (transitive)] > reduce to spray or mist
pulverize1807
atomize1865
nebulize1867
1865 Lancet 25 Feb. 203/2 He believed that atomising the fluids was unnecessary, on the ground that they could be introduced in the simplest manner by ordinary inhalation.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXI. 646/2 Utilizing the waste product [of petroleum] as fuel by spraying or atomizing it with steam.
1952 F. A. Fenton Field Crop Insects vi. 98 The purpose of a sprayer is to atomize a liquid, or a liquid containing an insoluble insecticide in suspension, into droplets.
2000 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 456 107 Similar ranges of droplet size were found when atomizing water.
c. transitive. To fragment (a community or society) by weakening connections between individuals or social groups; to isolate or separate (individuals).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > separate or isolate [verb (transitive)]
shedOE
depart1297
externec1420
deforce1430
sequesterc1430
enstrange1483
estrange1523
separate1526
alienate1534
segregate1542
foreign1598
excommunicate1602
stranger1608
dissociate1623
discorporate1695
disincorporate1701
atomize1895
twine1895
ghetto1936
society > society and the community > dissent > become at variance with [verb (transitive)] > cause (dissension) > destroy unity
dividec1380
disunite1562
rend1610
atomize1895
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > disjoin, disunite, or disconnect > things or persons united by something immaterial
severa1382
atomize1895
demassify1970
1895 N. Amer. Rev. Aug. 209 A century of laissez-faire and laissez-passer have atomized society and divided the human family into two opposing camps.
1955 G. Gorer Exploring Eng. Char. ii. 21 Life in big cities everywhere has a tendency to isolate and, as it were, atomize the inhabitants.
1964 Economist 13 June 1251/3 ‘Economic processes’ that were ‘atomizing society’.
2006 Times Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) (Nexis) 2 Sept. (Homes section) d11 The Internet..atomizes and individualizes people.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > ancient Greek philosophy > pre-Socratic schools of philosophy > pre-Socratic philosophy [verb (intransitive)] > specific schools
Pythagorize1603
Anaxagorize1678
atomize1678
Pythagoreanize1886
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. i. 27 Other ancient Atomists..did Atomize as well as he, but they did not Atheize.
3. transitive. To damage or destroy with an atomic weapon. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > devastate or lay waste (a place, etc.) > with an atomic weapon
atomize1945
1945 Daily Mirror 11 Aug. 1/3 Nagasaki, the second..Japanese city to be ‘atomised’.
1961 A. Wilson Old Men at Zoo ii. 90 Poor old Rackham's looking quite down in the mouth now that we aren't all going to be atomized into eternity.
1970 Times 12 May 9/6 Hiroshima and Nagasaki, when we atomized a community and stunned a nation into surrender.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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