conchoidal

American

[kong-koid-l] / kɒŋˈkɔɪd l /

adjective

Mineralogy.

noting a shell-like fracture form produced on certain minerals by a blow.

conchoidal British

/ kɒŋˈkɔɪdəl /

adjective

(of the fracture of minerals and rocks) having smooth shell-shaped convex and concave surfaces
(of minerals and rocks, such as flint) having such a fracture

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

conchoidal Scientific

/ kŏng-koid′l /

Of or relating to a mineral or rock surface that is characterized by smooth, shell-like curves. Obsidian and quartz often have conchoidal fractures.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of conchoidal

First recorded in 1660–70; conchoid + -al ¹

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023