clinamen

C3L1I1N1A1M3E1N1
US/klaɪˈneɪmən/

noun

The unpredictable swerve of atoms, introduced as a concept by Lucretius to defend the atomistic doctrine of Epicurus.

OriginLatin clīnō →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounclinamen (plural clinamens or clinamina)

plural clinamens · plural clinamina

  1. The unpredictable swerve of atoms, introduced as a concept by Lucretius to defend the atomistic doctrine of Epicurus.

Origin

  1. Latinclīnō
  2. Englishclinamen

Related to Latin clīnō.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

clinamen. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/clinamen

MLA

“clinamen.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/clinamen. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “clinamen,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/clinamen.

Source: clinamen on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.