chirality

American  

[kahy-ral-i-ti] / kaɪˈræl ɪ tɪ /

noun

• chiralities
  plural

1. Chemistry. the configuration of a structure (especially a molecule) that has a mirror image not identical to itself, the two images being described as right-hand and left-hand forms, which are not superposable; the quality of a figure that is chiral.

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chirality British  

/ kaɪˈrælɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: dissymmetry.  the configuration or handedness (left or right) of an asymmetric, optically active chemical compound

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chirality Scientific  

/ kī-răl′ĭ-tē /

1. The characteristic of a structure (usually a molecule) that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image.

2. Also called handedness

3. See also helicity invariance optical isomer

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• achirality
  noun
• chiral
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• chiralities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of chirality

C19: from Greek kheir hand + _-al ¹ + _-ity

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

chirality

Small differences in chirality can have major consequences.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 21, 2026

In their study published in Optica, the team demonstrates that this twisted bilayer structure naturally introduces asymmetry between left and right, making it highly effective for controlling light chirality.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 21, 2026

The study also outlines a broader design strategy for creating twisted bilayer photonic crystals with controllable optical chirality.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 21, 2026

As it happens, many aspects of life exhibit chirality, or “handedness.”

From Salon ● Jan. 18, 2025

So if you were to engineer synthetic mirror image versions of these, the amino acids would have right-handed chirality and the DNA would have left-handed chirality.

From Salon ● Jan. 18, 2025