astatic

[ ey-stat-ik ]

/ eɪˈstæt ɪk /

adjective

unstable; unsteady.

Physics. having no tendency to take a definite position or direction.

Words nearby astatic

astanga yoga, astarboard, astarte, astasia, astasia-abasia, astatic, astatic galvanometer, astatide, astatine, astbury, asteatosis

Origin of astatic

1820–30; < Greek ástat(os) not steadfast, unstable (a- a-⁶ + statós standing) + -ic; see static

OTHER WORDS FROM astatic

a·stat·i·cal·ly, adverba·stat·i·cism

[ey-stat-uh-siz-uh m] /eɪˈstæt əˌsɪz əm/, noun

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

Examples from the Web for astatic

If two magnetic needles of equal size and Astatic galvanometers.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4|Various
Astatic, a-stat′ik, adj. having a tendency not to stand still: losing polarity, as a magnetic needle.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D)|Various
An astatic needle is a combination of magnetised needles with their poles turned opposite ways.
Torpedoes and Torpedo Warfare|C. W. Sleeman
There is much worry and misery in the world because so many are astatic, like a compass that has lost its loadstone.
Evening Round Up|William Crosbie Hunter

An astatic magnetic system placed beside the disc underwent deviations.
The Foundations of Science: Science and Hypothesis, The Value of Science, Science and Method|Henri Poincar

British Dictionary definitions for astatic

astatic

/ (æˈstætɪk, eɪ-) /

adjective

not static; unstable

physics

having no tendency to assume any particular position or orientation
(of a galvanometer) having two mutually compensating magnets arranged so that the instrument is independent of the earth's magnetic field

Derived forms of astatic

astatically, adverbastaticism, noun

Word Origin for astatic

C19: from Greek astatos unsteady; see a- 1, static

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

Medical definitions for astatic

astatic

[ ə-stăt′ĭk ]

adj.

Relating to astasia.

Unsteady; unstable.