lat|tice

lat|tice «LAT ihs», noun, verb, -ticed, -tic|ing.

–n.

1. wooden or metal strips crossed with open spaces between them: »

a cool porch with a vine-covered lattice.

2. a window, gate, or other opening, having a lattice.

3. a) the geometrical pattern of molecules, atoms, or ions in a crystal: »

In a crystal all the atoms are distributed in an orderly arrangement throughout the space occupied by the crystal. This is called a lattice (Science News).

b) = space lattice. (Cf. ↑space lattice)

4. a structure in a nuclear reactor, containing fissionable and nonfissionable materials in a regular geometrical pattern: »

By suitable choice of the lattice the production of plutonium can be given an optimum value (M. L. Oliphant).

5. Mathematics. a partially ordered set in which any two elements have a least upper bound and a greatest lower bound.

–v.t.

1. to furnish with a lattice: »

Each window was latticed with iron wire on the outside (Jonathan Swift).

2. to form into a lattice; make like a lattice: »

The cook latticed strips of dough across the pie.

╂[< Old French lattis < latte lath < Germanic (compare Old High German latta)]

–lat´tice|like´, adjective.