enantiomorph

1 of 2

noun (1)

en·​an·​tio·​morph i-ˈnan-tē-ə-ˌmȯrf 

1

: enantiomer

2

: either of a pair of crystals (as of quartz) that are structural mirror images

enantiomorphic

i-ˌnan-tē-ə-ˈmȯr-fik 

adjective

enantiomorphism

i-ˌnan-tē-ə-ˈmȯr-ˌfi-zəm 

noun

enantiomorphous

i-ˌnan-tē-ə-ˈmȯr-fəs 

adjective

enantiomorphism

2 of 2

noun (2)

en·​an·​ti·​o·​mor·​phism

plural -s

: the phenomenon of mirror-image relationship exhibited by right-handed and left-handed crystals (as of quartz) or by the molecular structures of two stereoisomeric compounds (such as dextro-tartaric acid and levo-tartaric acid)

—distinguished from diastereoisomerism compare asymmetric carbon atom, optical isomerism

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Greek enantios opposite (from enanti facing, from en in + anti against) + International Scientific Vocabulary -morph -morph

Noun (2)

enantio- + -morphism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

enantiomorph

noun

en·​an·​tio·​morph in-ˈant-ē-ə-ˌmȯrf 

: enantiomer

enantiomorphic

-ˌant-ē-ə-ˈmȯr-fik 

adjective

or enantiomorphous

-fəs 

enantiomorphism

-ˈmȯr-ˌfiz-əm 

noun