Quantum
/ˈkwɒn.təm/noun
A discrete amount or unit of something, especially in physics.
Did you know?Quantum comes from Latin quantus, meaning “how much,” and in Latin science it could simply mean an amount or portion long before it became the word that shook modern physics.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kwo-
“Interrogative root meaning “who? what?””
Latin
Latin
quantus
““how much? how great?””
Late Latin
Latin
quantum
““how much,” “an amount,” “a quantity””
Medieval Latin
Latin
quantum
“A specific amount or portion”
17th Century
English
quantum
“A quantity or amount”
20th Century
English
quantum
“In physics, the smallest discrete unit of a physical property”