quasicrystal
/ˌkweɪ.ziˈkrɪs.təl/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A quasicrystal is a solid with a regular pattern, but not the usual repeating crystal pattern. Its atoms are arranged in an ordered way that does not repeat exactly.
- The alloy formed a quasicrystal during cooling.
- Scientists studied its unusual quasicrystal structure.
Adinary Nuance
A quasicrystal is not the same as a crystal. A crystal repeats its pattern in a regular way, but a quasicrystal is ordered without exact repetition. It is also not just a random solid, because its structure still has clear pattern and symmetry.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tinh thể gần
- Spanish
- cuasicristal
- Chinese
- 准晶体
- Japanese
- 準結晶
- Korean
- 준결정
Etymology
The word combines quasi- from Latin, meaning “almost,” and crystal, from Greek through Latin. It appeared in modern science in the 1980s after new solid structures were discovered.
Common phrases
quasicrystal structurequasicrystal patternquasicrystal alloy
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is a quasicrystal a real crystal?
- Not exactly. It has order like a crystal, but its pattern does not repeat in the usual way.
- How is a quasicrystal different from a crystal?
- A crystal repeats its atomic pattern regularly. A quasicrystal has order, but no exact repeating pattern.
- Is quasicrystal used in everyday English?
- No, it is mostly used in science, especially physics and materials science.