triatomic

American  

[trahy-uh-tom-ik] / ˌtraɪ əˈtɒm ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. having three atoms in a molecule.

2. having three replaceable hydrogen atoms.

3. having three replaceable hydroxyl groups.

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triatomic British  

/ ˌtraɪəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. chem having three atoms in the molecule

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Other Word Forms

• triatomically adverb

Etymology

Origin of triatomic

First recorded in 1860–65; tri- + atomic

Example Sentences

Hoy, A. R. & Bunker, P. R. A precise solution of the rotation bending Schrödinger equation for a triatomic molecule with application to the water molecule.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2017

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

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

The corresponding group contains phosphorus, arsenic and antimony: bismuth also belongs to it, but was not examined; they are triatomic, diamagnetic and negative.

From Occult Chemistry Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements by Sinnett, A. P.

III.—Boron, scandium and yttrium were examined; they are all triatomic, paramagnetic, and positive.

From Occult Chemistry Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements by Sinnett, A. P.

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 Occult Chemistry Clairvoyant Observations on the Chemical Elements by Sinnett, A. P.