An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

The theory supported by a wide range of evidence in which the Earth's crust is composed of several large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another. The interaction of the plates at their boundaries causes seismic and tectonic activity along these boundaries. See also → continental drift.

→ plate; → tectonics.

The science or art of assembling, shaping, or ornamenting materials in construction; the constructive arts in general. → plate tectonics

L.L. tectonicus, from Gk. tektonikos "pertaining to building," from tekton (genitive tektonos) "builder, carpenter," → technique.

Sâzânik, from sâzân pr.p. of sâz-, sâxtan "to build, make, fashion; to adapt, adjust, be fit" (Mid.Pers. sâxtan, sâz-, Manichean Parthian s'c'dn "to prepare, to form;" Av. sak- "to understand, to mark," sâcaya- (causative) "to teach") + -ik, → -ics.