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Definition of: diatom
(dī′ə·təm, -tom) noun
A marine and fresh–water plankton, unicellular or colonial, belonging to the family Chlorophyceae of microscopic green algae, characterized by bivalve walls containing silica. [<NL diatoma <Gk. dia- through + temnein cut]
—di·a·to·ma·ceous (dī′ə·tə·mā′shəs) adjective
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