Link Centre Dictionary

tectonic

tec·to·nic

US/tɛˈktɑnɪk/ uncommon

adjective

1.

pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth''s crust

  • “tectonic plates”
  • “tectonic valleys”
2.

of or pertaining to construction or architecture

Synonyms

Origin

1650s, in sense of building, from Late Latin tectonicus, from Ancient Greek τεκτονικός (tektonikós, “pertaining to building”), from Ancient Greek τέκτων (téktōn, “carpenter, joiner, maker”), from Proto-Indo-European *teḱ- (“to make”) (from which also texture). In sense of geology, attested 1894. By surface analysis, Ancient Greek τέκτων (téktōn) + -ic (“pertaining to”).

Phrases

  • tectonic keratoplasty
  • tectonic plate
  • tectonic uplift
  • tectonic weapon

Related words

Word family

Pertaining to

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.