TRICLINIC Meaning and
Definition
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Triclinic is an adjective used to describe a crystal system commonly found in minerals. It is one of the seven main crystal systems, characterized by its unique symmetry and crystallographic properties.
In a triclinic crystal system, the crystal lattice is not strictly symmetric and lacks a fixed axis of rotation or mirror plane. The term "triclinic" is derived from the Greek words "tri" meaning "three" and "klinein" meaning "to lean." This reflects the crystal's tendency to lean, as its basic unit cell lacks any perpendicular or parallel edges.
Triclinic crystals usually have three unequal crystallographic axes, designated as a, b, and c. These axes intersect at three unique angles, α, β, and γ, which are all different from each other. The angles between the crystallographic axes can vary widely, allowing for a diverse range of crystal shapes and habits.
Minerals belonging to the triclinic crystal system typically exhibit the least symmetric crystal structures. Their lack of symmetry affects various physical properties, such as refractive indices, cleavage, and optical behavior. The mineral's internal arrangement of atoms is crucial for understanding its chemical composition and properties.
Overall, the triclinic crystal system is characterized by its lack of symmetry and unique angles between crystallographic axes. This crystal system represents an important classification tool in mineralogy and crystallography, enabling scientists to categorize and study different minerals based on their structural properties.
Common Misspellings for TRICLINIC
- rriclinic
- friclinic
- griclinic
- yriclinic
- 6riclinic
- 5riclinic
- teiclinic
- tdiclinic
- tficlinic
- tticlinic
- t5iclinic
- t4iclinic
- truclinic
- trjclinic
- trkclinic
- troclinic
- tr9clinic
- tr8clinic
- trixlinic
Etymology of TRICLINIC
The word "triclinic" comes from the combination of two roots: "tri-" and "clinic".
- "Tri-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "tríās" meaning "three". It is commonly used to denote the number three or a tripartite nature.
- "Clinic" is derived from the Greek word "klinē" which means "couch" or "bed". In ancient Greece, a "clinic" referred to a classroom-like setting, where students would sit on couches or beds while the teacher imparted knowledge.
When combining these roots, "triclinic" literally means "three couches/beds". It was primarily used in the field of crystallography to describe a specific type of crystal structure that possesses three unequal axes, forming a parallelogram. The term emphasizes the three-fold symmetry displayed by such crystals.
Similar spelling words for TRICLINIC
- truckling,
- Trickel,
- truculency,
- truckle,
- treacle,
- truculence,
- Trosclair,
- trickle,
- treacly,
- truculently,
- trochilidae,
- truculent,
- Triclinium.
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