allotropy

or al·lot·ro·pism

[uh-lo-truh-pee]

noun Chemistry.

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

Origin of allotropy

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for allotropy

Historical Examples of allotropy

And this hypothesis is entirely in harmony with the phenomena of allotropy.
Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I
Herbert Spencer
This would be quite in accordance with the chemical notion of allotropy.
The Making of Species
Douglas Dewar
Allotropy has turned the eyes of many back to the remoter past.
Jewel Mysteries
Max Pemberton
Thus carbon occurs as the diamond, and as charcoal and plumbago, and is therefore regarded as a substance subject to allotropy.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1
Various
Before leaving this phase of inorganic chemistry, we may mention other historical examples of allotropy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1
Various

British Dictionary definitions for allotropy

allotropy

allotropism

noun

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

Derived Formsallotropic (ˌæləˈtrɒpɪk), adjectiveallotropically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012