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asymmetrical

 - 4 dictionary results

a⋅sym⋅met⋅ric

[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.
a. having an unsymmetrical arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
b. noting a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups.
c. (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.
Also, a⋅sym⋅met⋅ri⋅cal.


Origin:
1870–75; a- 6 + symmetric


a⋅sym⋅met⋅ri⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To asymmetrical
a·sym·met·ric   (ā'sĭ-mět'rĭk)   
adj.  
  1. Having no balance or symmetry.

  2. Chemistry Of or relating to a carbon atom having four different atoms or structural groups attached to it, resulting in an unbalanced spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule, so that the molecule cannot be superimposed on its mirror image; chiral.

a'sym·met'ri·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: asym·met·ri·cal
Pronunciation: "A-s&-'me-tri-k&l
Variant: or asym·met·ric /-trik/
Function:adjective
1 : not symmetrical
2 usually asymmetric, of a carbon atom : bonded to four different atoms or groups —asym·met·ri·cal·ly /-tri-k(&-)lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

asymmetrical a·sym·met·ri·cal (ā'sĭ-mět'rĭ-kəl) or a·sym·met·ric (-rĭk)
adj.
Abbr. a
Lacking symmetry between two or more like parts; not symmetrical.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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