tetragonal

views updated May 08 2018

tetragonal One of the seven crystal systems, with two sets of edges of the same length and a third which is either longer or shorter than the other two. The lattice may be referred to three crystallographic axes, a1, a2, and c (or x, y, and z) where a1 and a2 (or x and y) are equal, and c (or z) may be longer or shorter. All three axes are at right angles.

tetragonal

views updated May 21 2018

te·trag·o·nal / teˈtragənl/ • adj. of or denoting a crystal system or three-dimensional geometric arrangement having three axes at right angles, two of them equal.DERIVATIVES: te·trag·o·nal·ly adv.