Definition

A single unit or entity that cannot be divided further, often used in biology to refer to a single-celled organism, in chemistry to describe an atom with a valence of one, or in philosophy to denote a fundamental substance in reality.

Example

In biology class, we learned about a monad that is a type of single-celled organism.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a monad in biology?

Yeah, I think it's a type of single-celled organism, right?

Exactly! I find it fascinating how something so small can be so complex.

It really is amazing how much life exists at that level.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Monad → It is derived from the Greek word "monas" (meaning unit or one) and the suffix "-ad" (used to form nouns). The term "monad" refers to a single unit or entity, emphasizing its indivisible nature.

Memory Tip

Think of the Greek word for 'one' ('monas') to remember that a 'monad' is a single, indivisible unit.

Visually Confused Words