Definition of diatom

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< diathesis

diatomaceous >

di·a·tom    (d-tm) KEY  

NOUN:

Any of various microscopic one-celled or colonial algae of the class Bacillariophyceae, having cell walls of silica consisting of two interlocking symmetrical valves.

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ETYMOLOGY:
New Latin diatoma, from Greek diatomos, cut in half, from diatemnein, to cut in half : dia-, dia- + temnein, to cut; see tem- in Indo-European roots

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