asymmetric

Also a·sym·met·ri·cal

[ey-suh-me-trik, as-uh-]

adjective

1. not identical on both sides of a central line; unsymmetrical; lacking symmetry.

   Most faces are asymmetric.

2. (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.”

3. Chemistry.

   1. having an unsymmetrical arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

   2. noting a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups.

   3. (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.

asymmetric

/ ˌeɪ-, ˌæsɪˈmɛtrɪk /

adjective

1. not symmetrical; lacking symmetry; misproportioned

2. chem

   1. (of a molecule) having its atoms and radicals arranged unsymmetrically

   2. (of a carbon atom) attached to four different atoms or radicals so that stereoisomerism results

   3. involving chiral molecules

      asymmetric synthesis

3. electrical engineering (of conductors) having different conductivities depending on the direction of current flow, as of diodes

4. aeronautics having unequal thrust, as caused by an inoperative engine in a twin-engined aircraft

5. 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 antisymmetric nonsymmetric

Other Word Forms

• asymmetrically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of asymmetric¹

First recorded in 1870–75; a- ⁶ + symmetric ( def. )

Example Sentences

Within this group, Janus materials stand apart because their top and bottom atomic layers are composed of different chemical elements, giving them an asymmetric structure.

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It was also an asymmetric bet, like laying down money on a number in roulette.

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Those businesses underwrite their asymmetric warfare on democratic capitalism.

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Gold is still one of the best hedges in asymmetric environments, especially if the Fed overcorrects or is no longer in control of the narrative.

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Unlike most nuclei, which are close to spherical, radium's nucleus has an asymmetric, pear-like shape.

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