anisotropic

[ an-ahy-suh-trop-ik, -troh-pik, an-ahy- ]

adjective
  1. Physics. of unequal physical properties along different axes.: Compare isotropic (def. 1).

  2. Botany. of different dimensions along different axes.

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Origin of anisotropic

1
First recorded in 1875–80; an-1 + isotropic

Other words from anisotropic

  • an·i·so·trop·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • an·i·so·tro·py [an-ahy-so-truh-pee], /ˌæn aɪˈsɒ trə pi/, an·i·so·tro·pism, noun

Words Nearby anisotropic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use anisotropic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for anisotropic

anisotropic

/ (ænˌaɪsəʊˈtrɒpɪk, ˌænaɪ-) /


adjective
  1. not isotropic; having different physical properties in different directions: anisotropic crystals

  2. (of a plant) responding unequally to an external stimulus in different parts of the plant

Derived forms of anisotropic

  • anisotropically, adverb
  • anisotropy (ˌænaɪˈsɒtrəpɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for anisotropic

anisotropic

[ ăn-ī′sə-trōpĭk, -trŏpĭk, ăn′ī- ]


  1. Differing according to orientation, as light scattered by a liquid crystal; light striking the liquid crystal's surface at a 90° angle might not be reflected (so the surface appears dark when viewed head-on), while light striking it at shallower angles is reflected (so the surface appears illuminated when viewed from a shallow angle). Compare isotropic.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.