anisotropic

American  

[an-ahy-suh-trop-ik, -troh-pik, an-ahy-] / ænˌaɪ səˈtrɒp ɪk, -ˈtroʊ pɪk, ˌæn aɪ- /

adjective

1. Physics. of unequal physical properties along different axes.

2. Botany. of different dimensions along different axes.

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anisotropic British  

/ ˌænaɪ-, ænˌaɪsəʊˈtrɒpɪk, ˌænaɪˈsɒtrəpɪ /

adjective

1. not isotropic; having different physical properties in different directions

   anisotropic crystals

2. (of a plant) responding unequally to an external stimulus in different parts of the plant

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anisotropic Scientific  

/ ăn-ī′sə-trō′pĭk,-trŏp′ĭk,ăn′ī- /

1. Differing according to orientation, as light scattered by a liquid crystal; light striking the liquid crystal's surface at a 90° angle might not be reflected (so the surface appears dark when viewed head-on), while light striking it at shallower angles is reflected (so the surface appears illuminated when viewed from a shallow angle).

2. Compare isotropic

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Other Word Forms

• anisotropically adverb
• anisotropism noun
• anisotropy noun

Etymology

Origin of anisotropic

First recorded in 1875–80; an- ¹ + isotropic

Compare meaning

How does anisotropic compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• isotropic vs. anisotropic

Example Sentences

Surprisingly, the exchange energy of holes is not only electrically controllable, but strongly anisotropic.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2024

One way to achieve these life-like movements is to arrange muscle cells in biohybrid actuators in an anisotropic manner.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2024

To complicate things further, seismic-wave speeds in the upper oceanic mantle are anisotropic — they depend on the direction of propagation.

From Nature • Nov. 13, 2018

This anisotropic constriction can lead to the formation of different contacts between neighbouring cells at the apical end of the cell from contacts at the basal end.

From Nature • Sep. 9, 2018

In this connection may be mentioned cholesteryl acetate and benzoate and other substances which possess two crystalline phases, one of which is liquid, unlike other liquids, however, in being anisotropic.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous