clastic

[ klas-tik ]

adjective

Biology. breaking up into fragments or separate portions; dividing into parts.
pertaining to an anatomical model made up of detachable pieces.

Geology. noting or pertaining to rock or rocks composed of fragments or particles of older rocks or previously existing solid matter; fragmental.

Origin of clastic

1870–75; <Greek klastós broken in pieces (klas- variant stem of klân to break + -tos verbal adjective suffix) + -ic

Other words from clastic

non·clas·tic, adjective

Words Nearby clastic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use clastic in a sentence

Lastly, the name clastic has been given, because the rocks so called are formed by the breaking up of pre-existing rocks.
The Principles of Stratigraphical Geology | J. E. Marr
clastic, klas′tik, adj. breaking into fragments, fragmental.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) | Various

British Dictionary definitions for clastic

clastic

/ (ˈklæstɪk) /

adjective

(of sedimentary rock, etc) composed of fragments of pre-existing rock that have been transported some distance from their points of origin
biology dividing into parts: a clastic cell

able to be dismantled for study or observation: a clastic model of the brain

Origin of clastic

C19: from Greek klastos shattered, from klan to break

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

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