nematic

adjective ne·mat·ic \ ni-ˈma-tik \

Definition of nematic

: of, relating to, or being the phase of a liquid crystal characterized by arrangement of the long axes of the molecules in parallel lines but not layers — compare cholesteric, smectic

Origin and Etymology of nematic

International Scientific Vocabulary nemat- + ¹-ic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1923

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

nematic

adjective ne·mat·ic \ ni-ˈmat-ik \

medical Definition of nematic

: of, relating to, or being the phase of a liquid crystal characterized by arrangement of the long axes of the molecules in parallel lines but not layers