Tec*ton"ics (?), n. The science, or the art, by which implements, vessels, dwellings, or other edifices, are constructed, both agreeably to the end for which they are designed, and in conformity with artistic sentiments and ideas.

Tec*ton"ics (?), n. The science or art by which implements, vessels, buildings, etc., are constructed, both in relation to their use and to their artistic design.

Tec*ton"ics (?), n. The science, or the art, by which implements, vessels, dwellings, or other edifices, are constructed, both agreeably to the end for which they are designed, and in conformity with artistic sentiments and ideas.

Tec*ton"ics (?), n. The science or art by which implements, vessels, buildings, etc., are constructed, both in relation to their use and to their artistic design.

• Tectonics is the study of large-scale structural features of the Earth.
  
• A specialized branch of geology that deals with crustal plates and their movements.
  
• A tectonic plate is such a crustal feature. In this usage, tectonic becomes an adjective that implies a large plate, as opposed to a localized phenomenon.