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  

/ ˌæləˈtrɒpɪk, 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

Etymology

Origin of allotropy

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

Example Sentences

The phenomenon of allotropy is not confined to the non-metals, for evidence has been advanced to show that allotropy is far commoner than hitherto supposed.

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

Instances of allotropy in pure metals are: Bolley's lead, which oxidizes readily in air; Schutzenberger's copper; Fritsche' tin, which falls to powder when exposed to exceptionally cold winter; Gore's antimony; Graham's palladium and allotropic nickel.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 799, April 25, 1891 by Various

The allotropy of arsenic and antimony is also worthy of notice, but in the case of the first element the variation is essentially non-metallic, closely resembling that of phosphorus.

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

But it is evident that this is but one of many passages where Indra by implication is compared to the sun; and comparisons do not indicate allotropy.

From The Religions of India Handbooks on the History of Religions, Volume 1, Edited by Morris Jastrow by Hopkins, Edward Washburn

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

From Craftsmanship in Teaching by Bagley, William Chandler