Clinodiagonal

/ˌklaɪnoʊdaɪˈæɡənəl/ noun

Definition

In crystallography, a diagonal line or axis that runs diagonally between the slanted (inclined) axis and another crystal axis.

Etymology

From Greek klino- (inclined) plus diagonal (from Greek dia-, 'through', plus gōnia, 'angle'), describing a diagonal across inclined crystal axes.

Kelly Says

Crystallographers created these ultra-specific geometric terms to describe the exact orientations of atoms in crystals—it's beautiful how much precision language needed to capture mineral structure!

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