asymmetric

[ ey-suh-me-trik, as-uh- ]
See synonyms for: asymmetricasymmetrically on Thesaurus.com

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.”

  1. Chemistry.

    • having an unsymmetrical arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

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

    • (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.

Origin of asymmetric

1
First recorded in 1870–75; a-6 + symmetric
  • Also a·sym·met·ri·cal [ey-suh-me-tri-kuhl, as-uh-] /ˌeɪ səˈmɛ trɪ kəl, ˌæs ə-/ .

Other words from asymmetric

  • a·sym·met·ri·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use asymmetric in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for asymmetric

asymmetric

asymmetrical

/ (ˌæsɪˈmɛtrɪk, ˌeɪ-) /


adjective
  1. not symmetrical; lacking symmetry; misproportioned

  2. chem

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

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

    • involving chiral molecules: asymmetric synthesis

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

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

  3. 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 (def. 1), antisymmetric, nonsymmetric

Derived forms of asymmetric

  • asymmetrically, adverb

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