Atom (time)

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Template:Short description An atom of time or "a-tom" ("indivisible" in Greek), refers to the smallest possible unit of time.[1]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

History

One of the earliest occurrences of the word "atom" to mean the smallest possible unit of measuring time is found in the Greek text of the New Testament in Paul's Script error: No such module "Bibleverse".. The text compares the length of time of the “atom” to the time needed for "the twinkling of an eye." The text reads: "Script error: No such module "lang"." – the word "atom" is usually translated "a moment" — "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye". With that meaning, it was later referred to in Medieval philosophical writings as the smallest possible division of time. The earliest known occurrence in English is in Byrhtferth's Enchiridion (a science text) of 1010–1012,[2] where it was defined as 1/564 of a momentum (1½ minutes),[3] and thus equal to almost 160 milliseconds. It was used in the computus, the calculation used to determine the calendar date of Easter.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

See also

References

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  1. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online
  3. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Draft Revision. (contains relevant citations from Byrhtferth's Enchiridion)

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