diastrophism

[ dahy-as-truh-fiz-uhm ]

nounGeology.
  1. Also called tectonism. the action of the forces that cause the earth's crust to be deformed, producing continents, mountains, changes of level, etc.

  2. any such resulting deformation.

Origin of diastrophism

1
1880–85; <Greek diastroph() a distortion (see dia-, strophe) + -ism

Other words from diastrophism

  • di·a·stroph·ic [dahy-uh-strof-ik, -stroh-fik], /ˌdaɪ əˈstrɒf ɪk, -ˈstroʊ fɪk/, adjective
  • di·a·stroph·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby diastrophism

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British Dictionary definitions for diastrophism

diastrophism

/ (daɪˈæstrəˌfɪzəm) /


noun
  1. the process of movement and deformation of the earth's crust that gives rise to large-scale features such as continents, ocean basins, and mountains: See also orogeny, epeirogeny

Origin of diastrophism

1
C19: from Greek diastrophē a twisting; see dia-, strophe

Derived forms of diastrophism

  • diastrophic (ˌdaɪəˈstrɒfɪk), adjective

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