nanotechnology
UK[ˌnænəʊtekˈnɒlədʒi]US[ˌnænoʊtekˈnɑːlədʒi]
n
The branch of technology that deals with structures and devices with dimensions on the nanometer scale (one billionth of a meter).
n
The science and application of manipulating matter on an atomic or molecular scale.
Morpheme Breakdown
nano
technology
nano
dwarf
technology
science of craft
Etymology
The term 'nanotechnology' is a modern scientific compound, directly constructed from established Greek roots to describe a revolutionary field. The prefix 'nano-', borrowed from the Greek word for 'dwarf', was adopted in the International System of Units to signify a billionth part. It is combined with 'technology', itself from Greek tekhnē (craft) and -logia (study). Thus, the word's literal construction translates to "the craft or science of the extremely small," perfectly capturing its core focus on manipulating materials at the scale of individual atoms and molecules, a realm once considered figuratively "dwarfed."
Analysis
Structure: nano (dwarf) + technology (science of craft)
- nano: From Greek nanos or nannos, meaning "dwarf". In modern scientific use, it denotes a factor of one billionth (10⁻⁹).
- technology: From Greek tekhnē ("art, craft, skill") + -logia ("study of, discourse"). It refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
Examples
Nanotechnology holds promise for creating more effective drug delivery systems.
Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of incredibly strong and lightweight materials.
The university has a dedicated research center focused on the ethical implications of nanotechnology.