nastic
[ nas-tik ]
/ ˈnæs tɪk /
Save This Word!
adjective Botany.
of or showing sufficiently greater cellular force or growth on one side of an axis to change the form or position of the axis.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT 
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Origin of nastic
1900–10; <Greek nast(ós) pressed close, stamped down, firm (equivalent to nad- stem of nássein to press, squeeze + -tos past participle suffix, with dt>st) + -ic
Definition for nastic (2 of 2)
-nastic
a combining form occurring in adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -nasty: hyponastic.
Origin of -nastic
see origin at nastic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021