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

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

In 1845 a further contribution to the study of allotropy was made by Anton Schr�tter, who investigated the transformations of yellow and red phosphorus, phenomena previously noticed by Berzelius, the inventor Of the term “allotropy.”

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

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

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

From Craftsmanship in Teaching by Bagley, William Chandler

Thus carbon occurs as the diamond, and as charcoal and plumbago, and is therefore regarded as a substance subject to allotropy.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 1 A to Amide by Various