symmetry

sym·me·try

noun \ˈsi-mə-trē\

plural sym·me·tries

Definition of SYMMETRY

1

: balanced proportions; also : beauty of form arising from balanced proportions

2

: the property of being symmetrical; especially : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis — compare bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry

3

: a rigid motion of a geometric figure that determines a one-to-one mapping onto itself

4

: the property of remaining invariant under certain changes (as of orientation in space, of the sign of the electric charge, of parity, or of the direction of time flow) —used of physical phenomena and of equations describing them

Examples of SYMMETRY

1. the symmetry of the human body
2. The building has perfect symmetry.

Origin of SYMMETRY

Latin symmetria, from Greek, from symmetros symmetrical, from syn- + metron measure — more at measure

First Known Use: 1563

Related to SYMMETRY

Synonyms: balance, coherence, concinnity, consonance, consonancy, orchestration, proportion, harmony, symphony, unity

Antonyms: asymmetry, discordance, disproportion, disunity, imbalance, incoherence, violence

Related Words: coordination, correlation, correspondence, equalization, equilibrium, evenness, order, orderliness, regularity, uniformity

Near Antonyms: confusion, disorganization, dissonance, disturbance, tension; disconnectedness, disjointedness, incompatibility; irregularity, unevenness

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb