-tecto-, -tect-

Of or pertaining to architecture; suited or serviceable for the construction of buildings: The architectonic quality of the design of the house was perfected and was gratefully accepted by the future owners.

1. The science of architecture.
2. Structural design.
3. In philosophy, the scientific systematization of knowledge.

A reference to a geological condition in which the crust of the earth is not deformed or shifted to create mountains: Dr. McMahon's research of the earth tremors in the area indicated that there was tectonic evidence that such quakes were not the beginning of any internal structures of mountains.

The cellular composition of a bodily structure.

Of or relating to the shape, structure, and arrangement of rock masses: Geotectonic pressure causes structural deformation of the Earth's crust, particularly of the formation and movement of tectonic plates.

Relating to the large-scale structure of the planet Earth's crust; structural geology: In Jim's studies in geology, he took a class in geotectonics and learned a lot about the creation and action of its tectonic plates.

Earth movements and interactions on a global scale: Global tectonics refer particularly to the reasons and consequences of the dynamics of the crustal plates and sea-floor spreading.

Cytological architectonics of the brain, spinal cord, or bone marrow.

Relating to the structural arrangement of muscle or fibers.

1. A technique for predicting earthquakes that involves measuring the recent rate of slippage of landmarks along faults.
2. The study of the most recent structures and structural history of the earth's crust, from the end of the Miocene epoch to the present.

1. A theory that explains the global distribution of geological phenomena; such as, seismicity, volcanism, continental drift, and mountain building in terms of the formation, destruction, movement, and interaction of the earth's lithospheric plates.
2. The dynamics of plate movements.

Of, like, or pertaining to building; structural.

1. Relating to, causing, or resulting from structural deformation of the earth's crust.
2. Relating to construction or building; architectural.

1. The study of the earth's structural features.
2. The art or science of construction, especially of large buildings.
3. Pertaining to building or constructing; the science of structure of objects, buildings, and landforms.
4. The science of architecture; architectonics.
5. The branch of geology studying the folding and faulting of the earth's crust; plate tectonics, plate tectonic theory.

1. The structural behavior of an element of the earth's crust.
2. Crustal instability.