holohedral

A crystal exhibits holohedral symmetry in its structure.

Definition

1. Adjective (Crystallography):
   • Having the full number of symmetrically arranged faces: "holohedral" describes a crystal that exhibits the highest possible symmetry for its crystal system, meaning it possesses all the faces required by its point group. In simpler terms, a holohedral crystal has the maximum number of faces that a crystal of that class can have.

Usage Examples

• (It has the full set of symmetrical faces for cubic crystals.)
• (They have the complete complement of faces.)

Advanced Usage

• "holohedral development": the growth of a crystal showing all its possible faces.

  • The specimen exhibited perfect holohedral development. (The crystal grew with all its symmetrical faces intact.)

• "holohedral symmetry": the highest symmetry group within a given crystal system.

  • Quartz does not display holohedral symmetry. (Quartz lacks the full set of symmetrical faces.)

Variants and Related Words

• Holohedry (noun): the property of being holohedral; the state of having full symmetry.

  • The holohedry of this crystal is evident from its cubic shape. (Its full symmetry is clear.)

• Hemihedral (adjective): having only half the faces required for full symmetry.

  • A hemihedral crystal lacks the full number of faces seen in a holohedral one. (It has reduced symmetry.)

• Tetartohedral (adjective): having only one quarter of the faces required for full symmetry.

  • Tetartohedral crystals are even less symmetrical than hemihedral ones. (They have even fewer faces.)

Synonyms

• Full-symmetry: possessing the maximum symmetry for a crystal system.
• Complete-faced: having all possible faces for its crystal class.

Related Idioms