definitions

chiral

[ kahy-ruh l ]
/ ˈkaɪ rəl /

adjective Chemistry.

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

Nearby words

chippy, chipset, chiquita, chir-, chirac, chiral, chirality, chirchik, chiricahua, chirico, chirimoya

Origin of chiral

1894; chir- < Greek cheír hand + -al1; coined by Lord Kelvin

Related forms

chi·ral·i·ty [kahy-ral-i-tee] /kaɪˈræl ɪ ti/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Medicine definitions for chiral

chiral

[ kī′rəl ]

adj.

Of or relating to the structural characteristic of a molecule that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image.

Related forms

chi•ral′i•ty (kī-răl′ĭ-tē) n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.