tectonics
UK: tekˈtɒnɪks | US: tekˈtɑːnɪks
n. The study of the Earth's structural features, especially the movement and deformation of the crust.
n. (Architecture) The art or science of construction or assembling.
tectonics = tect<build> + onics<study of>
- tect (from Greek tekton, meaning "builder" or "carpenter")
- onics (a suffix derived from Greek -ikos, indicating "related to" or "study of")
Etymology Origin:
The word tectonics originates from Greek tektonikos ("pertaining to building"), reflecting its dual application in geology (Earth's "construction") and architecture. The root tect preserves the ancient idea of assembling or structuring, while -onics modernizes it into a scientific discipline. Over time, it shifted from literal construction to metaphorical "building" of geological formations.
Plate tectonics explains the movement of continents over millions of years.
The architect applied advanced tectonics to design the earthquake-resistant building.
Geologists use tectonics to predict volcanic activity.
The course covers both classical and modern tectonic theories.
His research focuses on the tectonics of mountain formation.