Min. Combining form of Gr. stem κλιν- in the sense of ‘sloping, inclining’ (cf. κλῑν-η bed, κλῑν-ειν to slope, slant, ἀκλινής unbent); used in connection with the monoclinic system of crystals, characterized by one plane of symmetry.
1. In names of minerals, as Clinochlore [Gr. χλωρ-ός green], a mineral resembling CHLORITE, but crystallizing on the monoclinic system; also a synonym for CORUNDOPHILITE. Clinoclase, also Clinoclasite [κλάσ-ις fracture, f. κλά-ειν to break], a monoclinic subtranslucent arsenate of copper. Clinocrocite [κρόκ-ος saffron], a yellow sulphate of alumina of uncertain composition. Clinoedrite, a synonym of TETRAHEDRITE, Clinohumite [see HUMITE], a monoclinic species of humite. Clinophærite [Gr. φαιός dusky, dark], a hydrous sulphate of iron, potassium, and sodium, resulting from the decomposition of pyrites. (Dana.)
1851. Amer. Jrnl. Sc., Ser. II. XII. 341. I propose … the name clinochlore, in allusion to the great obliquity between the optic axes, and its green color.
1863–72. Watts, Dict. Chem., s.v. Clinochlore, The crystals of clinochlore are hemihedral, and have a micaceous structure.
1850. Dana, Min., 700. Clinoclase. Ibid. (1882), App. III. 28. Clinocrocite. Ibid. (1879), Man. Min., 281. Clinohumite is monoclinic. Ibid. (1882), Min., App. III. 28. Clinophæite.
2. In other words: as Clinobasic a. = clinorhombic. Clinodiagonal, a. sb. the inclined axis in the monoclinic system of crystals; b. adj. pertaining to, or in the line of, this axis. Clinohedric, ‘applied to forms of crystals in which the co-ordinate planes are not perpendicular among themselves’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.). Clinopinacoid [Gr. πίναξ, πίνακ-ος a board], one of the three principal planes in the monoclinic system, running parallel to the vertical and inclined axes. Clinorhombic a., -rhomboid, crystallizing in an oblique rhombic form, monoclinic.
1888. F. H. Hatch, Gloss. Terms Rocks, Monoclinic … Synonyms, Clinobasic, Clinorhombic.
1879. Rutley, Stud. Rocks, x. 92. Cleavage parallel to the base and clinodiagonal. Ibid., 93. The sectional plane almost coincides with the clinopinakoid.
1858. Thudichum, The Urine, 48. Chloride of Sodium crystallizes in clino-rhombic prisis of great lustre.
3. Also prefixed to certain crystallographic forms when in the monoclinic system, as clino-dome, -prism, -pyramid.
