Diatom
/ˈdaɪ.ə.tɒm/noun
A single-celled algae that has a unique silica cell wall, often found in aquatic environments.
Did you know?Diatoms are often referred to as the 'jewels of the sea' due to their intricate and beautiful silica shells, which were used as a form of ancient ornamentation.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
διατομός
“a cutting through, division, or separation”
17th Century
Latin
diatomus
“the term introduced to describe the microscopic algae based on their divided structure”
19th Century
French
diatome
“a reference to their unique cell composition and structure”
Modern English
English
diatom
“a term adopted to define these significant and diverse microorganisms in scientific literature”
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