Definition

A type of subatomic particle that is the opposite of a quark, which is a fundamental building block of matter.

Example

In particle physics, an antiquark is paired with a quark to form mesons.

Conversation

I just learned about something called an antiquark in my physics class.

Oh really? What's an antiquark?

It's basically the antiparticle of a quark, which is pretty fascinating.

That sounds cool! I love how everything in physics is connected.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Antiquark is formed from "anti-" (meaning opposite) and "quark" (a term from particle physics, originally coined in the 1960s, possibly derived from the phrase 'Three quarks for Muster Mark' in James Joyce's *Finnegans Wake*). The word refers to a type of subatomic particle that is the opposite of a quark.

Memory Tip

Think of 'anti-' meaning opposite, and remember that an antiquark is the opposite of a quark in particle physics.

Visually Confused Words