monad

1 of 2

noun (1)

mo·​nad ˈmō-ˌnad 

1

a

: unit, one

b

: atom sense 3

c

: an elementary individual substance which reflects the order of the world and from which material properties are derived

2

: a flagellated protozoan (as of the genus Monas)

monadic

mō-ˈna-dik 

mə-

adjective

monadism

ˈmō-ˌna-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

monadism

2 of 2

noun (2)

mo·​nad·​ism ˈmōˌnaˌdizəm 

ˈmäˌn-, 

-nəˌd-

plural -s

: a theory based upon a conception of monads

specifically : the Leibnizian theory that the universe is composed of a hierarchy of monads each of which is a microcosm reflecting the world with differing degrees of clarity from its particular point of view without external stimulation in a system of harmony preestablished by God

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Late Latin monad-, monas, from Greek, from monos

Noun (2)

probably from French monadisme, from monade monad + -isme -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for monad

• gonad

Medical Definition

monad

noun

mo·​nad ˈmō-ˌnad 

1

: a flagellated protozoan (as of the genus Monas)

2

: a monovalent element or radical

3

: any of the four chromatids that make up a tetrad in meiosis