anisotropic

[ an-ahy-suh-trop-ik, -troh-pik, an-ahy- ]
/ ænˌaɪ səˈtrɒp ɪk, -ˈtroʊ pɪk, ˌæn aɪ- /

adjective

Physics. of unequal physical properties along different axes. Compare isotropic(def 1).
Botany. of different dimensions along different axes.

Origin of anisotropic

First recorded in 1875–80; an-1 + isotropic

OTHER WORDS FROM anisotropic

an·i·so·trop·i·cal·ly, adverb an·i·sot·ro·py [an-ahy-so-truh-pee] /ˌæn aɪˈsɒ trə pi/, an·i·sot·ro·pism, noun

Example sentences from the Web for anisotropic

British Dictionary definitions for anisotropic

anisotropic
/ (ænˌaɪsəʊˈtrɒpɪk, ˌænaɪ-) /

adjective

not isotropic; having different physical properties in different directions anisotropic crystals
(of a plant) responding unequally to an external stimulus in different parts of the plant

Derived forms of anisotropic

anisotropically, adverb anisotropy (ˌænaɪˈsɒtrəpɪ), noun

Medical definitions for anisotropic

anisotropic
[ ăn-ī′sə-trŏpĭk, -trōpĭk ]

adj.

Not isotropic.
Having physical properties that differ according to the direction of measurement.

Other words from anisotropic

an•i′so•tropi•cal•ly adv. an′i•sotro•pism (-sŏtrə-pĭz′əm) null n.

Scientific definitions for anisotropic

anisotropic
[ ăn-ī′sə-trōpĭk, -trŏpĭk, ăn′ī- ]

Differing according to orientation, as light scattered by a liquid crystal; light striking the liquid crystal's surface at a 90° angle might not be reflected (so the surface appears dark when viewed head-on), while light striking it at shallower angles is reflected (so the surface appears illuminated when viewed from a shallow angle). Compare isotropic.