geosynclinal

== English == === Etymology === From geo- +‎ synclinal. === Pronunciation === Rhymes: -aɪnəl === Adjective === geosynclinal (comparative more geosynclinal, superlative most geosynclinal) (geology) Of the Earth's crust, bending downward or subsiding and permitting the gradual accumulation of sediment. (geology) Of or pertaining to a geosnycline === Noun === geosynclinal (plural geosynclinals) (geology) The downward bend or subsidence of the Earth's crust, which permits the gradual accumulation of sediment and hence forms the first step in the formation of a mountain range. ==== Antonyms ==== geanticlinal ==== Related terms ==== geosyncline