xenomorphic

[ zen-uh-mawr-fik, zee-nuh- ]

adjective
  1. Also allotriomorphic. Petrography. noting or pertaining to a mineral grain that does not have its characteristic crystalline form but has a form impressed on it by surrounding grains; anhedral.

  2. in an unusual form; having a strange form.

Origin of xenomorphic

1
First recorded in 1885–90; xeno- + -morphic

Other words from xenomorphic

  • xen·o·mor·phi·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby xenomorphic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for xenomorphic

xenomorphic

/ (ˌzɛnəˈmɔːfɪk) /


adjective
  1. (of a mineral constituent of an igneous rock) not having its characteristic crystal shape because of deforming pressure from adjacent minerals

Derived forms of xenomorphic

  • xenomorphically, adverb

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