allotropy

American  

[uh-lo-truh-pee] / əˈlɒ trə pi /

Or allotropism

noun

Chemistry.

1. a property of certain elements, as carbon, sulfur, and phosphorus, of existing in two or more distinct forms; allomorphism.

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allotropy British  

/ əˈlɒtrəpɪ /

noun

1. the existence of an element in two or more physical forms. The most common elements having this property are carbon, sulphur, and phosphorus

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Other Word Forms

• allotropic
  adjective
• allotropically
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of allotropy

First recorded in 1840–50; allo- + -tropy

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

allotropy

The term allotropy has also been applied to inorganic compounds, identical in composition, but assuming different crystallographic forms.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

Theory of Allotropy.—The last three experiments well illustrate allotropy.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Rufus Phillips Williams

There seems to be a similar allotropy working in human nature.

From Craftsmanship in Teaching by William Chandler Bagley

And this hypothesis is entirely in harmony with the phenomena of allotropy.

From Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I by Herbert Spencer

Before leaving this phase of inorganic chemistry, we may mention other historical examples of allotropy.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1 "Châtelet" to "Chicago" by Various

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