quantum

[kwon-tuh m] /ˈkwɒn təm/
noun, plural quanta
[kwon-tuh] /ˈkwɒn tə/ (Show IPA)
1.
quantity or amount:
the least quantum of evidence.
2.
a particular amount.
3.
a share or portion.
4.
a large quantity; bulk.
5.
Physics.
  1. the smallest quantity of radiant energy, equal to Planck's constant times the frequency of the associated radiation.
  2. the fundamental unit of a quantized physical magnitude, as angular momentum.
adjective
6.
sudden and significant:
a quantum increase in productivity.
Origin
1610-20; noun use of neuter of Latin quantus how much

quantum sufficit

[kwahn-too m soof-i-kit; English kwon-tuh m suhf-uh-sit] /ˈkwɑn tʊm ˈsuf ɪ kɪt; English ˈkwɒn təm ˈsʌf ə sɪt/
Latin.
1.
as much as suffices; enough.
Examples from the web for quantum
  • quantum cryptography is more powerful than any computer or eavesdropping equipment that could ever be built.
  • If your old dog won't learn any new tricks, try teaching it quantum physics instead.
  • In theory, quantum computers can do things ordinary computers cannot.
  • Teleportation was long considered impossible because it violates the so-called uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics.
  • See what scientists are doing to try to understand the deepest mystery of quantum physics.
  • quantum mechanics challenges this centuries-old framework of physics itself.
  • To go from there to policy changes, though, is a quantum leap.
  • Loop quantum gravity can be visualised, as its name suggests, as a mesh of loops.
  • Entangled photons are pairs of ordinary light particles that are mysteriously connected at the quantum level.
  • quantum particles continue to behave in ways traditional particles do not.
British Dictionary definitions for quantum

quantum

/ˈkwɒntəm/
noun (pl) -ta (-tə)
1.
(physics)
  1. the smallest quantity of some physical property, such as energy, that a system can possess according to the quantum theory
  2. a particle with such a unit of energy
2.
amount or quantity, esp a specific amount
3.
(often used with a negative) the least possible amount that can suffice: there is not a quantum of evidence for your accusation
4.
something that can be quantified or measured
5.
(modifier) loosely, sudden, spectacular, or vitally important: a quantum improvement
Word Origin
C17: from Latin quantus (adj) how much
Word Origin and History for 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 pronomial 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.

quantum in Medicine

quantum quan·tum (kwŏn'təm)
n. pl. quan·ta (-tə)

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

  2. This amount of energy regarded as a unit.

  3. A quantity or an amount.

quantum in Science
quantum
  (kwŏn'təm)   
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.
quantum in Technology


time slice