astatic
|a-stat-ic|
/ˌeɪˈstætɪk/
not fixed; magnetically neutral
Etymology
'astatic' originates from New Latin 'astaticus', formed from the Greek privative prefix 'a-' (meaning 'not') + 'statikos' (meaning 'causing to stand' or 'stationary').
'astaticus' (New Latin) was used in scientific contexts and entered English as 'astatic' in the 19th century, keeping the formation from Greek roots.
Initially it simply meant 'not static' or 'not stationary'; over time it gained a specialized technical sense in physics/instrumentation of 'having no net magnetic moment' while retaining the general sense of 'unstable' or 'variable'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not static; not fixed or stable; liable to change or fluctuation.
The economic situation remained astatic, with prices rising and falling unpredictably.
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Adjective 2
in physics and instrumentation: having no resultant magnetic moment or arranged so that magnetic effects (for example from the Earth) cancel out; magnetically neutral.
The astatic pair of needles in the instrument cancels the Earth's magnetic field, improving sensitivity.
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Last updated: 2025/11/05 13:10