asymmetric
Americanadjective
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not identical on both sides of a central line; unsymmetrical; lacking symmetry.
Most faces are asymmetric.
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(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.”
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Chemistry.
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having an unsymmetrical arrangement of atoms in a molecule.
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noting a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups.
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(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.
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adjective
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not symmetrical; lacking symmetry; misproportioned
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chem
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(of a molecule) having its atoms and radicals arranged unsymmetrically
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(of a carbon atom) attached to four different atoms or radicals so that stereoisomerism results
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involving chiral molecules
asymmetric synthesis
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electrical engineering (of conductors) having different conductivities depending on the direction of current flow, as of diodes
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aeronautics having unequal thrust, as caused by an inoperative engine in a twin-engined aircraft
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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 antisymmetric nonsymmetric
Other Word Forms
- asymmetrically adverb
Etymology
Origin of asymmetric
First recorded in 1870–75; a- 6 + symmetric ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although researchers have previously reported laboratory synthesis of heitziamide A, they had not accomplished the total asymmetric synthesis of its naturally occurring enantiomer.
From Science Daily
Their real challenge—learning how to arbitrage sovereignty and openness in a fragmented and asymmetric global economy—is far more demanding.
From Barron's
Seeking such an asymmetric performance trade-off—less upside for more downside protection—is typical for investors in the hybrid securities known as convertible bonds External link, which have qualities of both stocks and bonds.
From Barron's
The analysis considered both symmetric beam misalignment and asymmetric conditions, where horizontal and vertical deviations differ.
From Science Daily
Kyiv, lacking funding and access to enough sophisticated weapons, has turned to balloons as an inexpensive fallback option that comes with an asymmetric advantage in the form of local wind patterns.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
