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synclinal

American  
[sin-klahyn-l, sing-, sing-kli-nl] / sɪnˈklaɪn l, sɪŋ-, ˈsɪŋ klɪ nl /

adjective

  1. sloping downward from opposite directions so as to meet in a common point or line.

  2. Geology.

    1. inclining upward on both sides from a median line or axis, as a downward fold of rock strata.

    2. pertaining to such a fold.


Other Word Forms

  • synclinally adverb

Etymology

Origin of synclinal

1825–35; syn- + Greek klī́n ( ein ) to lean 1 + -al 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They cover nearly the whole of the Little Cumbrae, where they give rise to marked terraced features and are arranged in a gentle synclinal fold.

From Project Gutenberg

The coal-field is synclinal in structure, Port Seton being about the centre; it contains ten seams of coal, and the area covered by it is some 30 sq. m.

From Project Gutenberg

The anticlinal ridges have thus been transformed 78 into topographic valleys and the original synclinal troughs left in relief as plateaus and ridges.

From Project Gutenberg

Where they dip away from the axis of movement the structure is termed an anticline or anticlinal fold; where they dip towards the axis, it is a syncline or synclinal fold.

From Project Gutenberg

North and south of the great anticline of the Weald of Kent and Sussex are two synclinal troughs known as the London and Hampshire basins.

From Project Gutenberg