lathlike

Lathlike is an adjective meaning resembling or having the characteristics of a lath—a thin, flat strip of wood, metal, or similar material. Objects described as lathlike are typically slender and flat, elongated more than they are thick. The term is formed from the noun lath with the suffix -like, and is usually written as lathlike, though some style guides prefer lath-like.

In metallurgy and materials science, lathlike describes certain microstructures composed of slender, plate‑like crystallites arranged in ribbons called laths. Lathlike martensite, for example, consists of elongated, blade‑like crystals that influence properties such as hardness and anisotropy. The descriptor can apply to other phase morphologies that resemble narrow plates.

In geology and mineralogy, lathlike crystals refer to minerals with a narrow, flat habit—elongated in one dimension and comparatively thin in the others—producing a stripy or tabular appearance. In botany, the term is less common, but may be used to describe strap‑shaped or slender, flat leaves or bracts that resemble a lath. In architectural contexts, lath refers to slender slats used in plastering, and lathlike materials describe similarly slender, flat strips.

Notes on usage: lathlike is primarily a descriptive, morphological term used in technical writing. Its meaning centers on shape rather than function. When writing, choose lathlike or lath-like to suit the manuscript’s style and maintain consistency throughout the text.