epitaxy
noun
ep·i·taxy ˈe-pə-ˌtak-sē 
: the growth on a crystalline substrate of a crystalline substance that mimics the orientation of the substrate
epitaxial
ˌe-pə-ˈtak-sē-əl
adjective epitaxially
ˌe-pə-ˈtak-sē-ə-lē
adverb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The previous method, molecular beam epitaxy, resulted in larger quantum dots that were less useful and unstable at all but the most extremely cold temperatures. 
Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Dec. 2019
Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 18 Dec. 2019 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from French épitaxie, from épi- epi- + Greek táxis "arrangement, disposition" + French -ie -y entry 2 — more at taxis
Note: The term was introduced by the French mineralogist Louis Royer (1895-1980) in "Recherches expérimentales sur l'épitaxie ou orientation mutuelle de cristaux d'espèces différentes," Bulletin de la Société française de minéralogie, tome 51 (1928), p. 8.
First Known Use
circa 1931, in the meaning defined above