diatom

From (deprecated) genus name Diatoma, from Ancient Greek διάτομος (diátomos, “cut through, cut in half”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈdaɪətəm/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdaɪəˌtɑm/

• Audio (US)

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diatom (plural diatoms)

1. Any of a group of minute unicellular algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, now categorized as class Diatomophyceae or division Bacillariophyta.
   • 2012, Caspar Henderson, The Book of Barely Imagined Beings, 2013 edition, Granta Books, page 287:

     Diatoms are characterized by a cell wall called a fistula made of silica, which usually has two overlapping sections.

• diatomaceous
• diatomite