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adjective
1.
of or pertaining to building or construction; constructive; architectural.
2.
Geology.
a.
pertaining to the structure of the earth's crust.
b.
referring to the forces or conditions within the earth that cause movements of the crust.
c.
designating the results of such movements: tectonic valleys.
Origin:
1650–60; < Late Latin tectonicus < Greek tektonikós pertaining to construction, equivalent to tekton- (stem of téktōn) carpenter + -ikos -ic
1650–60; < Late Latin tectonicus < Greek tektonikós pertaining to construction, equivalent to tekton- (stem of téktōn) carpenter + -ikos -ic
Related forms
tec·ton·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Tectonic
is always a great word to know.
So is loam. Does it mean:
| rich soil containing a relatively equal mixture of sand, silt and a smaller proportion of clay |
| process where the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, winds, waves |
Example Sentences
- Blame generation-scale tectonic shifts that opened gaps between public and private work.
- It is true that drilling can relieve stress on the tectonic plates and allow for shifting.
- They will also be used for measuring the movement of ice flows, glaciers and tectonic plates.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
tectonic
1650s, "of or relating to building," from L.L. tectonicus, from Gk. tektonikos "pertaining to building," from tekton (gen. tektonos) "builder, carpenter," from PIE base *tek- "to make" (see texture). The geological sense is recorded from 1894.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
tectonic  (těk-tŏn'ĭk) Pronunciation Key
Relating to the forces involved in plate tectonics or the structural features resulting from them. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Dynamo Rating For Tectonic
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