chiral

[ kahy-ruhl ]

adjective

, Chemistry.

1. (of a molecule) not superimposable on its mirror image.

Other Words From

• chi·ral·i·ty [kahy-, ral, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiral¹

1894; chir- < Greek cheír hand + -al ¹; coined by Lord Kelvin