tetragonal

[te-trag-uh-nl]

adjective

1. pertaining to or having the form of a tetragon.

2. Crystallography.,  noting or pertaining to a system of crystallization in which all three axes are at right angles to one another, two being equal in length and the third being of a different length.

tetragonal

/ tɛˈtræɡənəl /

adjective

1. Also: dimetric. crystallog relating or belonging to the crystal system characterized by three mutually perpendicular axes of which only two are equal

2. of, relating to, or shaped like a quadrilateral

tetragonal

1. Relating to a crystal having three axes, two of which are of the same length and are at right angles to each other. The third axis is perpendicular to these. The mineral zircon has tetragonal crystals.

2. See illustration at crystal

Other Word Forms

• tetragonalness noun
• tetragonally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of tetragonal¹

First recorded in 1565–75; tetragon + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The atoms in the alloy have a disordered structure that, when heated, undergoes a solid-to-solid transition that can produce a tetragonal lattice.

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In their experiments, Gréaux et al. synthesized CaPv, and analysed both the cubic and the tetragonal forms at high pressures and temperatures in a high-pressure apparatus.

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More specifically, lead titanate changes shape from tetragonal to rhombohedral through monoclinic intermediates under pressure.

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Bill very long, straight, thick, the base broader than high; the sides tetragonal; upper mandible very straight, the base rounded; under mandible beneath carinated and recurved, the margins covered by those of the upper.

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In all crystals of the same substance this ratio is constant, and is characteristic of the substance; for other substances crystallizing in the tetragonal system it will be different.

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