Tectonics
/tɛkˈtɒn.ɪks/noun
The branch of geology concerned with the structure and movement of Earth’s crust.
Did you know?Tectonics ultimately comes from Greek tekton, meaning a carpenter or builder, the same root behind the ancient idea of the master craftsman who shapes hidden structure.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*teks-
“to weave, fabricate, or make by skillful craft”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τέκτων (téktōn)
“a carpenter, builder, or craftsman”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τεκτονικός (tektonikós)
“pertaining to building or construction”
19th Century
French
tectonique
“relating to the structure of the Earth’s crust”
19th Century
English
tectonics
“the study of Earth’s structural features and movements”
Modern English
English
tectonics
“the geology of Earth’s crustal structure and plate movement”
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