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Glite Dictionary
anticlinal

anticlinal

1 9.9
Sloping down away from a central ridge, like rock layers
  • adjective
  • /ˌæntɪˈklaɪnəl/
  • Specialized
: anticlinal
  • The anticlinal ridge was clearly visible on the topographic map, sloping downwards on either side.

Examples

  • In geology class, we learned that anticlinal layers often indicate a potential site for fossil fuel extraction.

  • Abbreviations: (ant.) anticlinal, (Out.) Outcrop

    Academic text (2018)

  • The geologist explained that the anticlinal structure allowed for the accumulation of oil beneath the surface.

Synonyms

clinal
vsanticlinal
9.1

Sloping so a surface leans at an angle

is specifically sloping downward away from a central ridge or crest

Antonyms

synclinal
  • Specialized
9.9

A fold in rock layers that slopes down from both sides to form a low trough

Surface Forms

anticlinal positive

Morphology

anticlinal = clinal (semi-transparent) = anti + clin + al

The word is built transparently as anti- plus the technical adjective clinal, but the base word itself is specialized and not common to average learners.

Etymology

Anticlinal comes from anti- meaning 'opposite' and -clinal meaning 'to lean', the same root you see in incline. So an anticlinal layer or fold is one that slopes or 'leans' away from the top or crest, which is why geologists use the word for rocks that slope down from a ridge.