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

/ ā-sī′klĭk,ā-sĭk′lĭk /

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 acyclic flowers there is often a gradual transition from petals to stamens, as in the white water-lily (fig. 31).

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg