Democritus

[ dih-mok-ri-tuhs ]

noun

1. the Laughing Philosopher, c460–370 b.c., Greek philosopher.

Democritus

/ dɪˈmɒkrɪtəs /

noun

1. Democritus?460 bc?370 bcMGreekPHILOSOPHY: philosopher ?460–?370 bc , Greek philosopher who developed the atomist theory of matter of his teacher, Leucippus See also atomism

Democritus

/ dĭ-mŏk′rĭ-təs /

1. Greek philosopher who developed one of the first atomist theories of the universe. Democritus believed that the world consists of an infinite number of very small particles whose different characteristics and combinations account for the different qualities of all matter.

Example Sentences

For me, one of the great insights of Fundamentals was the way you explained that particles are not just smaller versions of the atoms that Democritus imagined floating in space.

From Nautilus

Democritus raised us to the noble thought that, small as it is, a single atom may constitute a world.

From Project Gutenberg

This argument is fallacious, no less than the other against Democritus.

From Project Gutenberg

This, then, is the cause which Democritus alleges for this fulness of the Nile.

From Project Gutenberg

In the nests of Arabian birds was the aspilates, that, according to Democritus, kept the wearer from any danger by fire.

From Project Gutenberg

What was it—that something more profound than the well of Democritus—which lay far within the pupils of my beloved?

From Project Gutenberg