aeolotropy

See also: æolotropy

English

Alternative forms

• æolotropy, eolotropy

Etymology

aeolo- +‎ -tropy

Noun

aeolotropy (uncountable)

1. (physics) The phenomenon whereby the physical properties (e.g, electric conductivity, refractive index) of a body depend on the direction in which they are measured.

   Synonym: anisotropy

   • 1881, W. Thomson, Nature No. 628, page 47:

     One of the most curious and interesting things in the mathematics of æolotropy.

Related terms

• aeolotropic

References

• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.