acyclic

[ ey-sahy-klik, ey-sik-lik ]
/ eɪˈsaɪ klɪk, eɪˈsɪk lɪk /

adjective

not cyclic: an acyclic flower; acyclic compounds.
Chemistry. of or relating to a compound that does not contain a closed chain or ring of atoms (contrasted with cyclic).

Origin of acyclic

First recorded in 1875–80; a-6 + cyclic

Words nearby acyclic

acute-care, acutilingual, acv, acw, acyanotic, acyclic, acyclic compound, acyclic terpene, acycloguanosine, acyclovir, acyl

British Dictionary definitions for acyclic

acyclic
/ (eɪˈsaɪklɪk, eɪˈsɪklɪk) /

adjective

chem not cyclic; having an open chain structure
botany having flower parts arranged in a spiral rather than a whorl

Scientific definitions for acyclic

acyclic
[ ā-sī′klĭk, ā-sĭk′lĭk ]

Not cyclic. Used especially of flowers whose parts are arranged in spirals rather than in whorls, as in magnolias.
Having an open-chain molecular structure rather than a ring-shaped structure.