isomerism caused by differences in the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules
Derived forms
stereoisometric (ˌstɛrɪəʊˌaɪsəˈmɛtrɪk, ˌstɪər-)
adjective
stereoisomerism in American English
(ˌsteriouaiˈsɑməˌrɪzəm, ˌstɪər-)
noun
Chemistry
the isomerism ascribed to different relative positions of the atoms or groups of atoms in the molecules of organic compounds
Word origin
[1890–95; stereo- + isomerism]This word is first recorded in the period 1890–95. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: blanket roll, blip, phoneme, pogey, wirelessstereo- is a combining form borrowed from Greek, where it meant “solid”, used with referenceto hardness, solidity, three-dimensionality in the formation of compound words. Otherwords that use the affix stereo- include: stereochemistry, stereogram, stereoscope