The Collaborative Dictionary

Zonal \Zon"al\, a. [L. zonalis.] Of or pertaining to a zone; having the form of a zone or zones. [1913 Webster] Zonal equation (Crystallog.), the mathematical relation which belongs to all the planes of a zone, and expresses their common position with reference to the axes. Zonal structure (Crystallog.), a structure characterized by the arrangements of color, inclusions, etc., of a crystal in parallel or concentric layers, which usually follow the outline of the crystal, and mark the changes that have taken place during its growth. Zonal symmetry. (Biol.) See the Note under Symmetry. [1913 Webster]

Word Net

zonal adj

1 relating to or of the nature of a zone; "the zonal frontier" [syn: zonary]

2 associated with or divided into zones; "a zonal pattern of cell structure"; "zonal division" [ant: azonal]

English

Etymology

Originated 1865–70 from zone + -al.

Pronunciation

• , /ˈzəʊnəl/, /"z@Un@l/
• Rhymes with: -əʊnəl

Adjective

1. divided into zones.
2. related to, associated with, or similar to zones.
3. roughly latitudinal movement of air or ocean currents (east to west, or west to east).

Related terms

• zonally
• zonary

References

• American Heritage 2000
• Dictionary.com
• WordNet 2003
• Glossary of Terms: Z, PhysicalGeography.net, Michael Pidwirny, 2006.

Zonal can refer to:

• Zonal and meridional, directions on a globe
• Zonal and poloidal, directions in a toroidal magnetically confined plasma
• Zonal polynomial, a symmetric multivariate polynomial