hexagonal

[ hek-sag-uh-nl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the form of a hexagon.
2. having a hexagon as a base or cross section:

   a hexagonal prism.

3. divided into hexagons, as a surface.
4. Crystallography. noting or pertaining to a system of crystallization in which three equal axes intersect at angles of 60° on one plane, and the fourth axis, of a different length, intersects them perpendicularly.

hexagonal

/ hɛkˈsæɡənəl /

adjective

1. having six sides and six angles
2. of or relating to a hexagon
3. crystallog relating or belonging to the crystal system characterized by three equal coplanar axes inclined at 60° to each other and a fourth longer or shorter axis at right angles to their plane See also trigonal

hexagonal

/ hĕk-săg′ə-nəl /

1. Having six sides.
2. Relating to a crystal having three axes of equal length intersecting at angles of 60° in one plane, and a fourth axis of a different length that is perpendicular to this plane. The mineral calcite has hexagonal crystals.
3. See illustration at crystal

Derived Forms

• hexˈagonally, adverb

Other Words From

• hex·ago·nal·ly adverb
• pseudo·hex·ago·nal adjective
• pseudo·hex·ago·nal·ly adverb
• subhex·ago·nal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hexagonal¹

First recorded in 1565–75; hexagon + -al ¹

Example Sentences

These weights are coated in neoprene for durability, safety, and a non-slip grip, plus their hexagonal shape prevents rolling.

From Popular-Science

In a test of the biotech company Oxitec’s GM male mosquitoes for pest control, these Aedes aegypti started growing from tiny eggs set out in toaster-sized, hexagonal boxes on suburban private properties in late April.

From Science News

These molecules, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, consist of several linked hexagonal rings of carbon with hydrogen atoms at the edges.

From Science News

This choice made splitting the hexagonal grid into triangular grids cleaner mathematically.

From Quanta Magazine

They treated graphene’s hexagonal lattice as two sublattices of triangles.

From Quanta Magazine

Cystin crystals are colorless, highly refractive, rather thick, hexagonal plates with well-defined edges.

From Project Gutenberg

Common camphor forms a translucent mass of hexagonal prisms, melting at 175 and boiling at 204.

From Project Gutenberg

A rule very commonly used in making drawings of hexagonal nuts is to make the diameter D, across the angles equal to 2d.

From Project Gutenberg

The upper part of the stud is screwed, and carries the guard D and an hexagonal nut E. F is the india-rubber.

From Project Gutenberg

In shape it is hexagonal, with shafts at the angles rising into an enriched cornice.

From Project Gutenberg