Word
ionic
Phoneticsion·ic
US/ˌaɪˈɑnɪk/
UK/aɪˈɒnɪk/
Definition
adj. relating to a type of building style from ancient Greece that uses columns with curly, scroll-like tops. It can also describe a way of joining atoms together in chemistry.
adj. relating to one of the classical orders of Greek architecture, characterized by columns with volutes on the capital. In a chemical context, refers to the electrostatic bond between oppositely charged ions.
Examples
“The museum entrance features tall ionic columns.”
“The architect chose the ionic style for the library to give the facade a more graceful and slender appearance than the doric alternative.”
“In chemistry, an ionic bond forms when one atom provides an electron to another, resulting in a strong attraction between the newly created positive and negative ions.”
Examples
simple
“The museum entrance features tall ionic columns.”
contextual
“The architect chose the ionic style for the library to give the facade a more graceful and slender appearance than the doric alternative.”
complex
“In chemistry, an ionic bond forms when one atom provides an electron to another, resulting in a strong attraction between the newly created positive and negative ions.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun. When referring to architecture, it is often capitalized.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἰωνικός (iōnikós, “related to Ionians”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/ionic