astatic

American  

[ey-stat-ik] / eɪˈstæt ɪk /

adjective

1. unstable; unsteady.

2. Physics. having no tendency to take a definite position or direction.

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astatic British  

/ eɪ-, æˈstætɪk /

adjective

1. not static; unstable

2. physics

   1. having no tendency to assume any particular position or orientation

   2. (of a galvanometer) having two mutually compensating magnets arranged so that the instrument is independent of the earth's magnetic field

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Other Word Forms

• astaticism
  noun
• astatically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of astatic

1820–30; < Greek ástat ( os ) not steadfast, unstable ( a- a- ⁶ + statós standing) + -ic; see static