quantum
pronunciation
How to pronounce quantum in British English:
UK [ˈkwɒntəm]
How to pronounce quantum in American English:
US [ˈkwɑntəm]
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- Noun:
- a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantum in quantum theory
- (physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory)
Word Origin
- quantum (n.)
- 1610s, "one's share or portion," from Latin quantum (plural quanta) "as much as, so much as; how much? how far? how great an extent?" neuter singular of correlative pronominal adjective quantus "as much" (see quantity). Introduced in physics directly from Latin by Max Planck, 1900; reinforced by Einstein, 1905. Quantum theory is from 1912; quantum mechanics, 1922; quantum jump is first recorded 1954; quantum leap, 1963, often figurative.