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Dec 30, 2009

This week's theme
Words that have changed with time

This week's words
beldam
prude
quantum
sycophant
meticulous

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

quantum

PRONUNCIATION:

(KWON-tuhm)

MEANING:

noun:

1. A quantity or amount.
2. A portion.
3. A large amount.
4. The smallest amount of something that can exist independently.

adjective:

Sudden; major.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin, neuter of quantus (how much or how great). In physics, a quantum jump or quantum leap is usually a small change, while in popular usage the term is used to mean a significant change.

USAGE:

"A quantum jump in the volume of traffic has made major snarls on the capital's periphery a routine affair for commuters."
Dipak Kumar Dash; New Roadmap; The Times of India (New Delhi); Nov 7, 2009.

See more usage examples of quantum in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

A civilized society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity. -Robert Frost, poet (1874-1963)

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