asymmetric
or a·sym·met·ri·cal
[ ey-suh-me-trik or ey-suh-me-tri-kuh l; as-uh- ]
/ ˌeɪ səˈmɛ trɪk or ˌeɪ səˈmɛ trɪ kəl; ˌæs ə- /
adjective
not identical on both sides of a central line; unsymmetrical; lacking symmetry: Most faces are asymmetric.
(of a logical or mathematical relation) holding true of members of a class in one order but not in the opposite order, as in the relation “being an ancestor of.”
Chemistry.
- having an unsymmetrical arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
- noting a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups.
- (of a polymer) noting an atom or group that is within a polymer chain and is bonded to two different atoms or groups that are external to the chain.
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Related forms
a·sym·met·ri·cal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for asymmetric
British Dictionary definitions for asymmetric
asymmetric
asymmetrical
/ (ˌæsɪˈmɛtrɪk, ˌeɪ-) /
adjective
not symmetrical; lacking symmetry; misproportioned
chem
- (of a molecule) having its atoms and radicals arranged unsymmetrically
- (of a carbon atom) attached to four different atoms or radicals so that stereoisomerism results
- involving chiral moleculesasymmetric synthesis
electrical engineering (of conductors) having different conductivities depending on the direction of current flow, as of diodes
aeronautics having unequal thrust, as caused by an inoperative engine in a twin-engined aircraft
logic maths (of a relation) never holding between a pair of values x and y when it holds between y and x, as " …is the father of… "Compare symmetric (def. 1), antisymmetric, nonsymmetric
Derived Forms
asymmetrically, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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