diatom

di·a·tom

noun \ˈdī-ə-ˌtäm\

Definition of DIATOM

: any of a class (Bacillariophyceae) of minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with silicified skeletons that form diatomaceous earth

Origin of DIATOM

ultimately from Greek diatomos cut in half, from diatemnein to cut through, from dia- + temnein to cut — more at tome

First Known Use: 1845

Rhymes with DIATOM

cardamom, carpet bomb, CD-ROM, cherry bomb, cluster bomb, intercom, lemon balm, letter bomb, logic bomb, neutron bomb, Peeping Tom, royal palm, sago palm, soccer mom, supermom, telecom, Uncle Tom, Vietnam