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ylem (I-lum) noun
A form of matter hypothesized by proponents of the big bang theory to have existed before the formation of the chemical elements. [Middle English, universal matter, from Old French ilem, from Medieval Latin hylem, accusative of hyle, matter, from Greek hule.] "Alpher and Gamow focused on the point when the universe had cooled to a state consisting of radiation and matter, ylem, Greek for the primordial stuff of life." Joseph D'Agnese, The last Big Bang man left standing, Discover, Jul 1999. This week's theme: words that make one say, I didn't know there was a word for that. ............................................................................. In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is. -Chuck Reid Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Language is a city to the building of which every human being brought a stone." Invite your friends and family to join in the quest by sending a gift subscription of A.Word.A.Day. It is free! http://wordsmith.org/awad/gift.html Pronunciation: http://wordsmith.org/words/ylem.wav http://wordsmith.org/words/ylem.ram
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