anisotropy

American  

[an-ahy-so-truh-pee] / ˌæn aɪˈsɒ trə pi /

Rarely anisotropism

noun

1. Physics. the fact of having unequal physical properties along different axes.

   Even crystals with a simple cubic lattice structure, such as salt, display optical anisotropy; that is, the light propagates differently in different directions.

2. Botany. the fact of having different rates of growth in different directions.

   Anisotropy is a nearly ubiquitous feature of plant growth; it is necessary, if a growing plant organ is to produce any other form than a sphere.

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Etymology

Origin of anisotropy

First recorded in 1875–80; an- ¹ ( def. ) + isotrop(ic) ( def. ) + -y ³ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The motion of light elements may explain seismic anisotropy -- directional variations in seismic wave speeds -- and could also play a role in sustaining Earth's magnetic field.

From Science Daily • Dec. 10, 2025

We commonly see anisotropy in wood, which is easier to chop along its grain than against it.

From Washington Post • Feb. 24, 2023

Observation of various and spontaneous magnetic Skyrmionic bubbles at room temperature in a frustrated kagome magnet with uniaxial magnetic anisotropy.

From Nature • Mar. 18, 2018

Their brains also showed lower fractional anisotropy, a measure of the structural coherence of white matter.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 2, 2014

And finally, perhaps, the most significant example for the effect of induced anisotropy lies in that differential impression made by stimulus on the sensory surfaces, which remains latent, and capable of revival, as the memory-image.

From Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose His Life and Speeches by Bose, Jagadis Chandra, Sir