An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A particle which cannot be divided into other constituents. More specifically, a particle whose field appears in the fundamental field equations of the unified field theory of elementary particles, in particular in the Lagrangian. For example, the → electron, the → photon, and the → quark are elementary particles, whereas the proton and neutron are not. The elementary nature of a particle can be revised depending on new observations or theories. Also called → fundamental particle.

Etymology (EN): Elementary, M.E. elementare, from M.F. élémentaire, from L. elementarius, from → element + adj. suffix -arius; → particle.

Etymology (PE): Bonyâdin, from bonyâd “basis, foundation,” variant of bonlâd, from bon “basis; root; foundation; bottom” → element + lâd “root; foundation; reason, cause; wall” + adj. suffix -in.