acyclic

[ey-sahy-klik, ey-sik-lik]

adjective

1. not cyclic.

   an acyclic flower; acyclic compounds.

2. Chemistry.,  of or relating to a compound that does not contain a closed chain or ring of atoms (cyclic ).

acyclic

/ eɪˈsaɪklɪk, eɪˈsɪklɪk /

adjective

1. chem not cyclic; having an open chain structure

2. botany having flower parts arranged in a spiral rather than a whorl

acyclic

1. Not cyclic. Used especially of flowers whose parts are arranged in spirals rather than in whorls, as in magnolias.

2. Having an open-chain molecular structure rather than a ring-shaped structure.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acyclic¹

First recorded in 1875–80; a- ⁶ + cyclic

Example Sentences

In the latter case the motion is said to be cyclic, in the former acyclic.

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