I. (ˈ)ī|änik, -nēk adjective
Etymology: Latin & Middle French; Middle French ionique, from Latin ionicus, from Greek iōnikos, from Iōnia Ionia + -ikos -ic
1. usually capitalized : ionian
2. usually capitalized : belonging to or resembling the Ionic order of architecture that is lighter and more graceful than Doric and is characterized especially by the spiral volutes of its capital — see capital illustration
3. : of, relating to, or consisting of ionics
II. noun
( -s )
1. capitalized : a dialect of ancient Greek used in Ionia that was the vehicle of an important body of literature
2. LL ionicus, fr. L ionicus, adj.
a. : a foot of verse that consists either of (1) two long and two short syllables or (2) two short and two long syllables — called also respectively (1) major ionic and (2) minor ionic
b. : a verse or meter consisting of ionics
III. adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary ion + -ic
1. : of, relating to, existing in the form of, or characterized by ions
ionic charge
ionic hydrogen
ionic crystals
2. : operated by, utilizing, or taking place by means of ions
ionic loudspeaker
ionic conduction