chiral
[ kahy-ruh l ]
/ ˈkaɪ rəl /
adjective Chemistry.
(of a molecule) not superimposable on its mirror image.
Nearby words
chipset, chiquita, chir-, chirac, chirac, jacques rené, chiral, chirality, chirchik, chiricahua, chirico, chirico, giorgio de
Origin of chiral
Related formschi·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
British Dictionary definitions for chirality
chirality
/ (kaɪˈrælɪtɪ) /
noun
the configuration or handedness (left or right) of an asymmetric, optically active chemical compoundAlso called: dissymmetry
Derived Formschiral, adjective
Word Origin for chirality
C19: from Greek kheir hand + -al 1 + -ity
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for chirality
chiral
1894, a hybrid coined by Lord Kelvin from Latinized comb. form of Greek kheir "hand" (from PIE *ghes- "hand;" see chiro-) + -al (1).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for chirality
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 formschi•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.
Science definitions for chirality
chirality
[ kī-răl′ĭ-tē ]
The characteristic of a structure (usually a molecule) that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image. Also called handedness See also helicity invariance optical isomer.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.