QUANTUM

I. noun (plural quanta) Etymology: Latin, neuter of quantus how much Date: 1567 1. quantity , amount , portion , part , gross quantity ; bulk , 2. any of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided, any of the small subdivisions of a quantized physical magnitude (as magnetic moment), II. adjective Date: 1942 large , significant , of, relating to, or employing the principles of ~ mechanics