Tectonic

Origin

1650s, in sense of building, from Late Latin tectonicus, from Ancient Greek τεκτονικός ("pertaining to building"), from Ancient Greek τέκτων (tekton, "carpenter, joiner, maker"), from Proto-Indo-European *tek- ("to make") (from which also texture). In sense of geology, attested 1894.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Surface analysis is τέκτων (tekton) + -ic("pertaining to").

Full definition of tectonic

Adjective

1. of or relating to construction or to architecture
2. (geology) of, relating to, or caused by large-scale movements of the Earth's lithosphere

Related terms

• plate tectonics
• tectonic keratoplasty
• tectonic plate
• tectonics