quantum

quan·tum  (kwntm)

n. pl. quan·ta (-t)

1. A quantity or amount.

2. A specified portion.

3. Something that can be counted or measured.

4. Physics

a. The smallest amount of a physical quantity that can exist independently, especially a discrete quantity of electromagnetic radiation.

b. This amount of energy regarded as a unit.

adj.

Relating to or based upon quantum mechanics.

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[Latin, from neuter of quantus, how great; see quantity.]

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quantum

Noun

pl -ta

1. an amount or quantity, esp. a specific amount

2. Physics the smallest quantity of some physical property that a system can possess

Adjective

of or designating a major breakthrough or sudden advance: a quantum leap in business computing [Latin quantus how much]

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quantum  (kwntm)

Plural quanta

A discrete, indivisible manifestation of a physical property, such as a force or angular momentum. Some quanta take the form of elementary particles; for example, the quantum of electromagnetic radiation is the photon, while the quanta of the weak force are the W and Z particles. See also quantum state.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	quantum - a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory quantity - the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable
	2.	quantum - (physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory) quantity, measure, amount - how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" quasiparticle - a quantum of energy (in a crystal lattice or other system) that has position and momentum and can in some respects be regarded as a particle