atomistic
adjUK /ˌætəˈmɪstɪk/
Etymology From atom + -istic.
1
Of or pertaining to atoms or to atomism.
- It is the object of the mechanical atomistic philosophy to confound synthesis with synartesis, or rather with mere juxtaposition of corpuscles separated by invisible interspaces.1809, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Friend:
2
Divided into separate elements; not holistic.
3
Economics, Sciences Of a market: divided such that no single actor can noticeably affect market-wide values such as the price; competitive.
- Derived terms
- atomistically, nonatomistic