hemimorphic

[hem-i-mawr-fik]

adjective

1. (of a crystal) having the two ends of an axis unlike in their planes or modifications; lacking a center of symmetry.

hemimorphic

/ ˌhɛmɪˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. (of a crystal) having different forms at each end of an axis

Other Word Forms

• hemimorphism noun
• hemimorphy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemimorphic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; hemi- + -morphic

Example Sentences

The name hemimorphite was given by G. A. Kenngott in 1853 because of the typical hemimorphic development of the crystals.

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It is interesting crystallographically by reason of the hemimorphic development of its orthorhombic crystals; these are prismatic in habit and are differently terminated at the two ends.

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Crystals of this class are therefore differently developed at the two ends and are said to be “hemimorphic.”

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When a non-conducting crystal possessing this hemimorphic type of symmetry is subjected to changes of temperature a charge of positive electricity will be developed on the faces in the region of one end of the uniterminal axis, whilst the faces at the opposite end will be negatively charged.

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Crystals are hexagonal with hemimorphic development, being differently terminated at the two ends.

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