GEOSYNCLINAL

Etymology

Adjective

geosynclinal (comparative more geosynclinal, superlative most geosynclinal)

(geology) Of the Earth's crust, bending downward or subsiding and permitting the gradual accumulation of sediment.

Noun

geosynclinal (plural geosynclinals)

(geology) The downward bend or subsidence of the Earth's crust, which permits the gradual accumulation of sediment and hence forms the first step in the formation of a mountain range.

Antonyms

• geanticlinal

Source: Wiktionary

Ge`o*syn*cli"nal, n. Etym: [Gr. synclinal.] (Geol.)

Definition: the downward bend or subsidence of the earth's crust, which allows of the gradual accumulation of sediment, and hence forms the first step in the making of a mountain range; -- opposed to geanticlinal.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition