tetragonal

adjective

te·trag·o·nal te-ˈtra-gə-nᵊl

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the tetragonal system

tetragonally

te-ˈtra-gə-nᵊl-ē

adverb

Examples of tetragonal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But as alloys of iron and nickel cool down, the atoms inside become less mobile, and therefore less likely to arrange themselves into the tetragonal structure that creates magnetic tetrataenite. —

Andrew Zaleski, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2023 Ice can also come in tetragonal, rhombohedral and cubic phases, among others, all of which posses unique properties, such as ferroelectricity. —

Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2016 Titanium dioxide has a solid tetragonal crystalline structure and is derived from three main natural minerals: rulite, anatase, and brookite. —

Science & Food, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2016 The technicolor models are made of a pure ceramic called tetragonal zirconia polycrystal, which contains 95% zirconia. —

Carol Besler, Robb Report, 14 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tetragonal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin tetragonalis having four angles and four sides, from tetragonum quadrangle, from Greek tetragōnon, from neuter of tetragōnos tetragonal, from tetra- + gōnia angle — more at -gon

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tetragonal was in 1868

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