tectonic

Intermediatezipf 3.13

Pronunciation

/tɛkˈtɒnɪk/(tek-TON-ik)

Part of speech

adjectivegeology / figurative

Chinese

构造的；地壳运动的；（比喻）巨大变革的

Definition

Relating to the structure of the earth's crust and the large-scale movements within it; figuratively, describing very large or fundamental changes.

Word family

  • tectonics/tɛkˈtɒnɪks/(n)构造学
  • tectonically(adv)

Collocations

  • tectonic plates
  • tectonic shift
  • tectonic activity
  • tectonic forces
  • tectonic movement

Examples

  1. 1.The Himalayas formed where two tectonic plates collided, pushing the earth's crust skyward over millions of years. (geological movement)
  2. 2.The invention of the internet represented a tectonic shift in how humans communicate and do business. (fundamental, massive change)

Synonyms

  • seismic/ˈsaɪzmɪk/— relating to earthquakes; figuratively, enormous
  • geological— relating to earth science
  • epochal/ˈɛpəkəl/— marking a new era

Etymology

from Greek "tektonikos" (pertaining to building) — from "tekton" (builder, carpenter) — the earth as architect of its own surface