anisotropism
|a-ni-sot-ro-pism|
🇺🇸
/ˌænɪˈsɑːtrəpɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌænɪˈsɒtrəpɪzəm/
directional dependence
Etymology
'anisotropism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anisotrópía' (ἀνισοτρόπια), where the prefix 'an-' meant 'not', 'isos' meant 'equal', and 'tropos' meant 'turn' or 'direction'.
'anisotropism' changed from New/Modern Latin 'anisotropia' and was influenced by the related English noun 'anisotropy'; it entered scientific English to denote the quality of directional dependence and became the modern English 'anisotropism'.
Initially, the elements conveyed 'unequal in different directions'; over time the term came to be used specifically for the technical meaning 'directional dependence of properties' in physics, materials science, and biology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the property of being anisotropic; exhibiting different physical or mechanical properties when measured along different directions (directional dependence).
Researchers measured the anisotropism of the crystal to determine how its conductivity varied with direction.
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Noun 2
in biology or growth-related contexts, the tendency of an organism or tissue to grow or respond differently depending on direction or orientation.
Anisotropism in plant tissues can cause roots to grow preferentially along certain axes in response to environmental cues.
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Last updated: 2025/08/13 22:22