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proton

Pronunciation: /ˈpɹəʊ.tɒn/

The English word “proton” has 3 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A positively charged subatomic particle forming part of the nucleus of an atom and determining the atomic number of an element, composed of two up quarks and a down quark.
  2. The atomic nucleus of protium (hydrogen-1)
  3. Synonym of primordium.

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek πρῶτον (prôton), neuter of πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”). (physics): Coined by New Zealand-British scientist Ernest Rutherford in 1920, in analogy with electron (1891), and with an additional intention of honoring English chemist William Prout. Analyzable as proto- + -on (anatomy): A translation of German Anlage (“fundamental thing”) based on Aristotle’s phrase ἡ…

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