antisymmetric

[ an-tee-si-me-trik, an-tahy- ]

adjective

, Mathematics.

1. noting a relation in which one element's dependence on a second implies that the second element is not dependent on the first, as the relation “greater than.”

antisymmetric

/ ˌæntɪsɪˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. See nonsymmetric
   logic (of a relation) never holding between a pair of arguments x and y when it holds between y and x except when x = y, as "…is no younger than…" See nonsymmetric
2. See symmetric, asymmetric
   maths symmetric except for a change of sign Compare asymmetric symmetric

Word History and Origins

Origin of antisymmetric¹

First recorded in 1920–25; anti- + symmetric ( def )