hemimorphic

American

[hem-i-mawr-fik] / ˌhɛm ɪˈmɔr fɪk /

adjective

(of a crystal) having the two ends of an axis unlike in their planes or modifications; lacking a center of symmetry.

hemimorphic British

/ ˌhɛmɪˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

(of a crystal) having different forms at each end of an axis

"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

Other Word Forms

hemimorphism noun
hemimorphy noun

Etymology

Origin of hemimorphic

First recorded in 1860–65; hemi- + -morphic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Crystals are hexagonal with hemimorphic development, being differently terminated at the two ends.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various

The name hemimorphite was given by G. A. Kenngott in 1853 because of the typical hemimorphic development of the crystals.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

It is interesting crystallographically by reason of the hemimorphic development of its orthorhombic crystals; these are prismatic in habit and are differently terminated at the two ends.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023