1. The quality or state of being anisotropic; the property of having different physical or optical characteristics in different directions.
Usage: technical; physics; materials science

Examples

• The anisotropism of the crystal causes light to refract differently depending on the direction of propagation.
• Materials scientists study anisotropism to understand how mechanical properties vary with orientation.
• The anisotropism of wood makes it stronger along the grain than across it.
• Optical anisotropism in certain minerals allows them to be used in polarizing filters.
• The anisotropism of the composite material was carefully engineered to optimize performance in specific directions.