idiomorphic

[id-ee-uh-mawr-fik]

adjective

1. Also (in a rock) noting or pertaining to a mineral constituent having its own characteristic outward crystalline form unaltered by the other constituents of the rock; automorphic.

2. having its own characteristic form.

idiomorphic

/ ˌɪdɪəʊˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. (of minerals) occurring naturally in the form of well-developed crystals

Other Word Forms

• idiomorphically adverb
• idiomorphism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiomorphic¹

1885–90; < Greek idiómorph ( os ) having an individual form ( idio-, -morphous ) + -ic

Example Sentences

Idiomorphic, id-i-o-mor′fik, adj. having a peculiar or distinctive form.

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Many felsites contain porphyritic crystals of clear quartz in rounded blebs, more or less idiomorphic felspar, and occasionally biotite.

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The augite is mostly a variety of diopside and is only occasionally idiomorphic.

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Nabokov's treatment of these themes is idiomorphic; his form is flashingly and immutably his own.

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Typical nepheline-dolerites are scarce, and consist of idiomorphic augite, surrounded by nepheline.

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