allotropy

or al·lot·ro·pism

[ uh-lo-truh-pee ]

/ əˈlɒ trə pi /

noun Chemistry.

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

Nearby words

Origin of allotropy

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for allotropy

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
Allotropy has turned the eyes of many back to the remoter past.
Jewel Mysteries|Max Pemberton
This would be quite in accordance with the chemical notion of allotropy.
The Making of Species|Douglas Dewar
Before leaving this phase of inorganic chemistry, we may mention other historical examples of allotropy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 1|Various

And this hypothesis is entirely in harmony with the phenomena of allotropy.
Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I|Herbert Spencer

British Dictionary definitions for allotropy

allotropy

allotropism

/ (əˈlɒtrəpɪ) /

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