atactic
|a-tac-tic|
/əˈtæk.tɪk/
not ordered
Etymology
'atactic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'ataktos', where 'a-' meant 'not' and 'taktos' meant 'ordered/arranged'.
'atactic' changed from Neo-Latin/French/German scientific coinages (compare Neo-Latin 'atacticus', French 'atactique', German 'atactisch') and was adopted into English in the 19th century through chemical literature.
Initially it meant 'not ordered' in a general sense, but over time it developed a specialized technical meaning of 'lacking stereoregularity in polymers'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
(polymer chemistry) Lacking any regular stereochemical arrangement of side groups along a polymer chain; not stereoregular; often resulting in an amorphous material.
The sample was found to be atactic, so it did not crystallize under normal cooling conditions.
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Adjective 2
(general/archaic) Not arranged or ordered; disorderly or lacking coordination (used in literary or broad descriptive senses).
His notes were atactic, full of ideas but lacking any clear structure.
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Last updated: 2025/11/09 07:28