allotrope

American  

[al-uh-trohp] / ˈæl əˌtroʊp /

noun

Chemistry.

1. one of two or more existing forms of an element.

   Graphite and diamond are allotropes of carbon.

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allotrope British  

/ ˈæləˌtrəʊp /

noun

1. any of two or more physical forms in which an element can exist

   diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon

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allotrope Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-trōp′ /

1. Any of several crystalline forms of a chemical element. Charcoal, graphite, and diamond are all allotropes of carbon.

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Etymology

Origin of allotrope

First recorded in 1885–90; allo- + -trope

Example Sentences

The most common and most stable allotrope of sulfur is yellow, rhombic sulfur, so named because of the shape of its crystals.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Why is there no allotrope of silicon with a graphite structure?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

White phosphorus is the most reactive allotrope and is very toxic.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Black-lead—or, as we term it, graphite—of which I have several specimens here—is simply carbon—an allotrope of carbon—the same elementary substance, notwithstanding, as the diamond.

From The Story of a Tinder-box by Tidy, Charles Meymott

Take all this stuff, for instance; especially their ability to transform iron into a fluid allotrope, and in that form to use its intra-atomic energy as power.

From Triplanetary by Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer)

Related Words

• gem
• jewel
• rhinestone