Anisotropic materials are the materials that exhibit direction dependent properties. These materials have different physical and mechanical properties in different directions. The term "anisotropic" is derived from the Greek words "aniso" meaning unequal and "tropos" meaning direction.

**Explanation:**

**1. Definition of Anisotropic materials:**
Anisotropic materials are those that possess different properties in different directions. These properties can include mechanical, thermal, electrical, and magnetic behavior. In other words, the physical and mechanical properties of anisotropic materials are not the same when measured in different directions.

**2. Comparison with Isotropic materials:**
Anisotropic materials are the opposite of isotropic materials. Isotropic materials have the same properties in all directions. They exhibit uniform behavior regardless of the direction in which they are measured. Examples of isotropic materials include gases, liquids, and amorphous solids.

**3. Examples of Anisotropic materials:**
There are numerous examples of anisotropic materials. Some common examples include wood, composites, crystals, and textiles. Wood, for instance, has different mechanical properties along the grain (longitudinal direction) compared to across the grain (transverse direction). Similarly, composites made of different layers of materials can exhibit anisotropic behavior due to the varying properties of each layer.

**4. Importance of Anisotropic materials:**
Understanding the anisotropic behavior of materials is crucial in many engineering applications. It helps in designing structures or components that can withstand different loads and forces acting in different directions. Anisotropic materials can be tailored to have specific properties in different directions, allowing for optimization of performance in various applications.

**5. Applications of Anisotropic materials:**
Anisotropic materials find applications in various fields. In civil engineering, anisotropic materials are used in the design of bridges, buildings, and other structures to ensure their stability and load-bearing capacity. In aerospace engineering, anisotropic composites are used to reduce weight while maintaining strength in aircraft components. In electronics, anisotropic conductive films are used for interconnecting components. In medical engineering, anisotropic materials are used in orthopedic implants and prosthetics to mimic the mechanical properties of natural tissues.

**Conclusion:**
Anisotropic materials are those that exhibit direction dependent properties. They have different physical and mechanical properties in different directions. Understanding the anisotropic behavior of materials is essential for designing and optimizing structures and components in various engineering applications.