Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
rhombohedral

rhombohedral

9.9
Shaped like a slanted box with all faces equal
  • adjective
  • /ˌrɑːmboʊˈhɛdrəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : rhomboédrico
  • In geology, a rhombohedral crystal is typically characterized by its threefold symmetry.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the rhombohedral symmetry of the crystal to understand its optical properties.

  • The mineral forms when the molecules align in a rhombohedral structure, creating unique crystal shapes.

  • Doesn't matter how small he breaks the calcite crystal down, he always gets rhombohedral shards.

  • You'll see that the hexagonal rhombohedral lattice is shown referred to the hexagonal axis.

Synonyms

trigonal
vsrhombohedral
  • Specialized
9.2

Having three parts arranged around a center like a triangle

is the crystal-specific term for that symmetry focusing on a rhombohedron shape

Surface Forms

rhombohedral positive

Morphology

rhombohedral = rhombohedron (transparent) = rhombo + hedron + al

The adjective is regularly formed from the noun 'rhombohedron' with the common adjectival suffix '-al'.

Etymology

Rhombohedral comes from the same root as rhombus, which first meant a 'spinning top' and later a diamond-shaped figure, plus -hedral from hedron meaning 'face'. So, a rhombohedral crystal has faces like tilted diamonds, which is why the word means 'shaped like a rhombohedron'.