idiomorphic

[id-ee-uh-mawr-fik]

adjective

Also euhedral. (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.

having its own characteristic form.

Origin of idiomorphic

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

Related formsid·i·o·mor·phi·cal·ly, adverbid·i·o·mor·phism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for idiomorphic

Historical Examples of idiomorphic

Idiomorphic, id-i-o-mor′fik, adj. having a peculiar or distinctive form.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M)
Various
Typical nepheline-dolerites are scarce, and consist of idiomorphic augite, surrounded by nepheline.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6
Various

British Dictionary definitions for idiomorphic

idiomorphic

adjective

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

Derived Formsidiomorphically, adverbidiomorphism, noun

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