isotope

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Etymology 1

From iso- + -tope, because the different isotopes of a chemical element always occupy the same position in the periodic table of elements.

Pronunciation

• (RP) IPA: /ˈaɪ.sə.təʊp/
• (America) enPR: ī'sətōp, IPA: /ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp/

Noun

isotope (plural isotopes)

1. (nuclear physics) Any of two or more forms of an element where the atoms have the same number of protons, but a different number of neutrons within their nuclei. Thus, isotopes have the same atomic number but a different mass number.

Translations

• French: isotope
• German: Isotop
• Italian: isotopo
• Portuguese: isótopo
• Russian: изото́п
• Spanish: isótopo

Etymology 2

Possible back-formation from isotopy.

Pronunciation

• (America) IPA: /ˈaɪ.sə.toʊp/

Verb

isotope (isotopes, present participle isotoping; simple past and past participle isotoped)

1. (topology, transitive) To define or demonstrate an isotopy of (one map with another).

Related terms

• homotope

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