BharatNotes Monomer
noun/ˈmɒnəmər/
A relatively small molecule that can bond chemically with other identical or similar molecules to form a polymer chain.
Usage in a UPSC answer
Just as a single monomer is inert until it links with countless others to form a durable polymer, an individual citizen's vote acquires its true transformative power only when aggregated into the larger fabric of collective democratic will.
Synonyms
structural unitbuilding blockrepeating unitconstituent moleculebase unit
Antonyms
polymermacromoleculeaggregate
Word Family
monomer (n), monomers (n pl), monomeric (adj), polymer (n), oligomer (n), polymerise (v)
Root
Greek monos = single + Greek meros = part; mono- prefix = one
Etymology
From Greek monos (single) + meros (part); first recorded in English in the 1910s.
Memory Hook
MONO ("one") + MER ("part") = "one part" — a single building block that snaps together with many others to make a polymer ("many parts").
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