ˈkwäntəm sometimes ˈkwȯn- noun
( plural quan·ta -tə)
Etymology: Latin, neuter of quantus how much — more at quantity
1.
a. : quantity , amount
the quantum of proof needed
the quantum of damages to be assessed
the tiny quantum of popular knowledge on any matter — John Buchan
the quantum of the sin — Robert Burns
b. : a certain or an allotted amount : portion
in almost all men … are quanta of love and tenderness — Levon West
the Indian blood quantum of the population — D.P.Delorme
c. : gross quantity : aggregate , bulk
the total quantum of securities … that circulate in the economy — H.V.R.Iengar
increase the quantum of material well-being — H.J.Laski
2. obsolete : something having quantity : body
3.
a. : one of the very small increments or parcels into which many forms of energy are subdivided and which are always associated directly or indirectly with a frequency ν such that the quantum is equal to ν multiplied by Planck constant
b. : one of the small subdivisions of a quantized physical magnitude (as molecular spin, angular velocity, magnetic moment) — compare light quantum , magneton , phonon , photon