Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

orthoclastic

adjective
or·​tho·​clas·​tic

Definition of orthoclastic

: cleaving in directions at right angles to each other —used originally of the monoclinic feldspars

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for orthoclastic

German orthoklastisch, from orth- + -klastisch -clastic

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about orthoclastic

Statistics for orthoclastic

Look-up Popularity

Comments on orthoclastic

What made you want to look up orthoclastic? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

writhe

Listen to the pronounciation of writhe

to move or proceed with twists and turns

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games