Used in natural history, to be sure, as in the techtiform elytra (hard outer wings) of certain beetles or techtiform carapace of turtles with a ridgeline -- but also in archaeology: there is a type of cave-painting or engraving in the shape of an upward-pointing wedge or arrow, which is believed to represent a structure or dwelling. Coined around 1830 as New Latin tēctiformis, roof-shaped, from Latin roots tēctum, roof + fōrma, shape.
The meaning of techtiform symbols remains ephemeral.
---L.
