conchoidal

[ kong-koid-l ]

adjectiveMineralogy.
  1. noting a shell-like fracture form produced on certain minerals by a blow.

Origin of conchoidal

1
First recorded in 1660–70; conchoid + -al1

Other words from conchoidal

  • con·choi·dal·ly, adverb
  • sub·con·choi·dal, adjective

Words Nearby conchoidal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use conchoidal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conchoidal

conchoidal

/ (kɒŋˈkɔɪdəl) /


adjective
  1. (of the fracture of minerals and rocks) having smooth shell-shaped convex and concave surfaces

  2. (of minerals and rocks, such as flint) having such a fracture

Derived forms of conchoidal

  • conchoidally, adverb

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

Scientific definitions for conchoidal

conchoidal

[ kŏng-koidl ]


  1. Of or relating to a mineral or rock surface that is characterized by smooth, shell-like curves. Obsidian and quartz often have conchoidal fractures.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.