Also 7 attomé, -mye. [f. atomi, pl. of atomus (formerly in learned use; see ATOM), by treating it as an English singular. Perhaps influenced also by ATOMY1 2. Cf.
1596. Fitz-Geffrey, Sir F. Drake (1881), 99. Anatomize me into atomies.
1611. Barksted, Hiren (1876), 86. The kingly Eagle strikes through Atomie, Those little moates that barre him from the Sun.]
1. An atom, a mote.
1595. Markham, Sir R. Grinuile. Thicker then in sunne are Atomies, Flew bullets.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., III. ii. 245. It is as easie to count Atomies as to resolue the propositions of a Louer.
1620. Swetnam Arraigned (1880), 37. I would hew thy flesh Smaller then Attomés.
1879. Tennyson, Lover’s T., 65. A broad And solid beam of isolated light, Crowded with driving atomies.
b. fig.
1614. Overbury, A Wife, &c. (1638), 266. Circumstances are the Atomies of Policie.
2. A diminutive or tiny being, a mite, a pigmy.
1591. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. iv. 57. Drawne with a teeme of little Atomies Ouer mens noses.
1605. P. Woodhouse, Flea (1877), 19. If with this atomye I should contend.
1863. Kingsley, Water Bab. (1878), viii. 369. I suppose you have come here to laugh at me, you spiteful little atomy.
