clastic

[ klas-tik ]

adjective

1. Biology. breaking up into fragments or separate portions; dividing into parts.
2. pertaining to an anatomical model made up of detachable pieces.
3. Geology. noting or pertaining to rock or rocks composed of fragments or particles of older rocks or previously existing solid matter; fragmental.

clastic

/ ˈklæstɪk /

adjective

1. (of sedimentary rock, etc) composed of fragments of pre-existing rock that have been transported some distance from their points of origin
2. biology dividing into parts

   a clastic cell

3. able to be dismantled for study or observation

   a clastic model of the brain

Other Words From

• non·clastic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clastic¹

1870–75; < Greek klastós broken in pieces ( klas- variant stem of klân to break + -tos verbal adjective suffix) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of clastic¹

C19: from Greek klastos shattered, from klan to break

Example Sentences

Only dance was missing, although it was arguably present in Robert Wilson’s precisely choreographed “Krapp’s Last Tape,” the centerpiece of the theater presentations, which also included Pan Pan theater company’s “All That Fall,” Theater Clastic’s “Act Without Words I” and Lisa Dwan’s performance of “Not I.”

From New York Times

Brian shares his passion for Earth science through words and images on his blog Clastic Detritus at Wired and on Twitter as @clasticdetritus.

From Scientific American

The clastic Flysch formation of the 662 Carpathians and northern Alps appears to be of Eocene age in the upper and Cretaceous in the lower part.

From Project Gutenberg

While the foraminiferal limestones were being formed over most of southern Europe, a series of clastic beds were in course of formation in the Carpathians and the northern Alpine region, viz. the Flysch and the Vienna sandstone.

From Project Gutenberg

The sedimentary epidosites occur with mica-schists, sheared grits and granulitic gneisses; they often show, on minute examination, the remains of clastic structures.

From Project Gutenberg