tetratomic

[ te-truh-tom-ik ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. having four atoms per molecule, especially of a specified kind.
2. having four replaceable atoms or radicals.

tetratomic

/ ˌtɛtrəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. composed of four atoms or having four atoms per molecule

   phosgene has tetratomic molecules

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetratomic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; tetr- ( def ) + atomic ( def )

Example Sentences

Similarly As and Au in Cd appear to be triatomic, and Sn in Pb tetratomic.

From Project Gutenberg

The group is tetratomic and positive.

From Project Gutenberg

It is worthy of notice that in diatomic elements four funnels open on the faces of tetrahedra; in triatomic, six funnels on the faces of cubes; in tetratomic, eight funnels on the faces of octahedra.

From Project Gutenberg