How Do You Spell ANHEDRAL?

1. Anhedral refers to a geometric term used in the field of crystallography to describe a mineral or crystal face that lacks symmetry and does not have any parallel planes. This term originates from the Greek words "a," meaning without, and "hedra," meaning plane or face. An anhedral face can be irregularly shaped and lacks the typical flat and smooth surfaces associated with crystal faces.

   Anhedral faces typically occur when a crystal grows in a crowded or restricted space, preventing the formation of regular, symmetrical planes. These faces often exhibit rough or jagged surfaces, giving them a more natural and random appearance compared to the defined and faceted crystal faces.

   Anhedral crystals are commonly found in metamorphic or igneous rock formations, where they often form as a result of rapid or irregular cooling and solidification. In contrast to euhedral crystals, which exhibit well-formed and clearly defined faces, anhedral crystals are often intergrown and have irregular boundaries.

   Anhedral faces are frequently studied in the field of mineralogy as they can provide valuable insights into the growth conditions and history of a mineral or crystal. By examining the anhedral faces, scientists can gather information about the environment and processes that led to the crystal's formation.

Common Misspellings for ANHEDRAL

The word "anhedral" is derived from a combination of two Greek words: "an" and "hedra".

The prefix "an-" in Greek means "without" or "not".

The word "hedra" in Greek refers to "a face" or "a side".

Therefore, "anhedral" can be broken down into "an-" (without) and "hedra" (a side), meaning "without sides".

This term is commonly used in geology, mineralogy, and crystallography to describe a crystal face or surface that is not parallel to any of its usual or normal sides. It is often used to describe minerals with irregular or uneven crystal faces.

Plural form of ANHEDRAL is ANHEDRALS