1. not stable; lacking a fixed or permanent position or condition
Usage: formal; technical
2. of or relating to an astatic galvanometer or compass that is not affected by Earth's magnetic field
Usage: physics; technical

Examples

• The astatic needle of the galvanometer was unaffected by external magnetic fields.
• An astatic system tends to drift without external constraints.
• The astatic compass design eliminated interference from Earth's magnetism.
• Astatic equilibrium occurs when an object has no preferred resting position.
• Early physicists developed astatic instruments to improve measurement accuracy.