Hemimorphy

/ˌhɛmɪˈmɔːrfi/ noun

Definition

An alternative term for hemimorphism; the characteristic of having different crystal forms or structures at opposite ends.

Etymology

From 'hemimorph' with the suffix '-y' (denoting a state or condition). This variant form appears in older mineralogical literature and represents historical naming conventions in crystallography.

Kelly Says

Hemimorphy is another ghost word in mineralogy—while scientists now prefer 'hemimorphism,' this older term survived in some textbooks, showing how scientific terminology gradually standardizes as fields mature.

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