The word "holohedral" (hoh-loh-hee-drul) is a term used in crystallography to describe a crystal that is bounded by smooth, symmetrical faces. The spelling of this word follows the typical English pattern of using a combination of letters to represent each sound in the word. The "h" at the beginning represents the sound of exhaling, while the "hr" combination is pronounced like a soft "r". The "oh" combination represents the "o" sound, and the "ee" represents the "i" sound. The "dr" combination represents the "d" sound followed by a soft "r".
Holohedral is an adjective used in crystallography to describe a mineral or crystal that exhibits a complete and uninterrupted external form. Derived from the Greek words "holos" meaning whole and "hedra" meaning face, holohedral refers to a crystal that has identical, regular faces on all its external surfaces. In other words, it indicates a mineral or crystal that is bounded by symmetrically arranged planes that intersect to form well-defined edges and corners.
A holohedral crystal exhibits a uniform external structure due to the symmetrical arrangement of its atoms or ions. It possesses a three-dimensional repetition of molecular units, resulting in a well-defined geometric shape. This regularity is a result of the crystal's internal atomic arrangement, as well as the external conditions in which it forms.
Holohedral crystals can manifest in various shapes, such as cubes, pyramids, prisms, or dodecahedrons, among others. They often display sharp edges and well-defined faces, making them visually appealing to both scientists and collectors. The presence of holohedral symmetry allows for the classification and identification of minerals based on their outward appearance and crystallographic properties.
In summary, holohedral refers to a mineral or crystal that possesses symmetry and displays a complete external form. Its regular and uniform structure enables scientists to classify and identify minerals, while also captivating the aesthetic senses of crystal enthusiasts.
The word "holohedral" originated from the combination of two Greek words: "holos", meaning "whole" or "complete", and "hedra", meaning "faces" or "sides". The term was specifically used within crystallography to describe a crystal that possesses symmetrically arranged faces or sides on all its external surfaces. The concept of holohedral crystals was introduced by the German mineralogist and crystallographer Johann Friedrich Christian Hessel in the early 19th century.