geosynclinal

1 definition found

geosynclinal - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Geosynclinal \Ge`o*syn*cli"nal\, n. [Gr. ge`a, gh^, the earth +
     E. synclinal.] (Geol.)
     the downward bend or subsidence of the earth's crust, which
     allows of the gradual accumulation of sediment, and hence
     forms the first step in the making of a mountain range; --
     opposed to geanticlinal.
     [1913 Webster]