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symmetrical

 - 3 dictionary results

sym⋅met⋅ri⋅cal

[si-me-tri-kuhl]
–adjective
1. characterized by or exhibiting symmetry; well-proportioned, as a body or whole; regular in form or arrangement of corresponding parts.
2. Geometry.
a. noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by an axis: Points (1, 1) and (1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to the x-axis.
b. noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same axis.
c. noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by a point or center: The points (1, 1) and (−1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to (0, 0).
d. noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same center.
3. Often, symmetric. Mathematics.
a. noting a square matrix that is equal to its transpose.
b. noting a dyad or dyadic that is equal to its conjugate.
c. noting a relation in which one element in relation to a second implies the second in relation to the first.
4. Botany.
a. divisible into two similar parts by more than one plane passing through the center; actinomorphic.
b. (of a flower) having the same number of parts in each whorl.
5. Chemistry.
a. having a structure that exhibits a regular repeated pattern of the component parts.
b. noting a benzene derivative in which three substitutions have occurred at alternate carbon atoms.
6. affecting corresponding parts simultaneously, as certain diseases.
Also, sym⋅met⋅ric.


Origin:
1745–55; symmetr(y) + -ical


sym⋅met⋅ri⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
sym⋅met⋅ri⋅cal⋅ness, noun


1. balanced, orderly, regular, congruent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To symmetrical
sym·met·ri·cal   (sĭ-mět'rĭ-kəl)   
adj.  Of or exhibiting symmetry.
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.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sym·met·ri·cal
Pronunciation: s&-'me-tri-k&l
Variant: or sym·met·ric /-trik/
Function:adjective
: having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry: as a : affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly symmetrical rash> b : exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula; especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule —sym·met·ri·cal·ly /-tri-k(&-)lE/ adverb
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