Definitions for symmetry
ˈsɪm ɪ trisym·me·t·ry

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. symmetry, symmetricalness, correspondence, balancenoun

   (mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane

2. symmetry, proportionnoun

   balance among the parts of something

3. isotropy, symmetrynoun

   (physics) the property of being isotropic; having the same value when measured in different directions

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. symmetrynoun

   Exact correspondence on either side of a dividing line, plane, center or axis.

2. symmetrynoun

   The satisfying arrangement of a balanced distribution of the elements of a whole.

3. Etymology: From symmetria, from συμμετρία, from σύμμετρος, from σύν + μέτρον.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. SYMMETRYnoun

   Adaptation of parts to each other; proportion; harmony; agreement of one part to another.

   Etymology: symmetrie, French; σὺν and μέτϱον.

   She by whose lines proportion should be
   Examin’d, measure of all symmetry;
   Whom had that ancient seen, who thought souls made
   Of harmony, he would at next have said
   That harmony was she. John Donne.

   And in the symmetry of her parts is found
   A pow’r, like that of harmony in sound. Edmund Waller.

   Symmetry, equality, and correspondence of parts, is the discernment of reason, not the object of sense. More.

   Nor were they only animated by him, but their measure and symmetry were owing to him. Dryden.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Symmetrynoun

   a due proportion of the several parts of a body to each other; adaptation of the form or dimensions of the several parts of a thing to each other; the union and conformity of the members of a work to the whole

2. Symmetrynoun

   the law of likeness; similarity of structure; regularity in form and arrangement; orderly and similar distribution of parts, such that an animal may be divided into parts which are structurally symmetrical

3. Symmetrynoun

   equality in the number of parts of the successive circles in a flower

4. Symmetrynoun

   likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regularity

5. Etymology: [L. symmetria, Gr. ; sy`n with, together + a measure: cf. F. symtrie. See Syn-, and Meter rhythm.]

FreebaseRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Symmetry

   Symmetry has two meanings. The first is a vague sense of harmonious and beautiful proportion and balance. The second is an exact mathematical "patterned self-similarity" that can be demonstrated with the rules of a formal system, such as geometry or physics. Although these two meanings of "symmetry" can sometimes be told apart, they are related, so they are here discussed together. Mathematical symmetry may be observed ⁕with respect to the passage of time; ⁕as a spatial relationship; ⁕through geometric transformations such as scaling, reflection, and rotation; ⁕through other kinds of functional transformations; and ⁕as an aspect of abstract objects, theoretic models, language, music and even knowledge itself. This article describes these notions of symmetry from four perspectives. The first is symmetry in geometry, which is the most familiar type of symmetry for many people. The second is the more general meaning of symmetry in mathematics as a whole. The third describes symmetry as it relates to science and technology. In this context, symmetries underlie some of the most profound results found in modern physics, including aspects of space and time. The fourth discusses symmetry in the humanities, covering its rich and varied use in history, architecture, art, and religion.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Symmetry

   sim′e-tri, n. the state of one part being of the same measure with or proportionate to another: due proportion: harmony or adaptation of parts to each other.—adj. Symm′etral, commensurable, symmetrical.—n. Symmet′rian, one who is careful about symmetry.—adjs. Symmet′ric, -al, having symmetry or due proportion in its parts: harmonious.—adv. Symmet′rically, with symmetry.—ns. Symmet′ricalness; Symmetri′cian, Symm′etrist, one careful about symmetry; Symmetrisā′tion.—v.t. Symm′etrise, to make symmetrical.—n. Symmetrophō′bia, fear or strong dislike of mechanical symmetry. [L. and Gr. symmetria—syn, together, metron, a measure.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. symmetry

   Appropriate, perfect balance of formation, organization and structure.

   The symmetry of the elements of the flower are amazing to see.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on March 21, 2020  

EntomologyRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Symmetry

   that regular arrangement of organs or parts which is capable of division into similar halves or similar radii.

Matched Categories

1. • Balance
   • Physics
   • Property

How to pronounce symmetry?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say symmetry in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of symmetry in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of symmetry in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of symmetry in a Sentence

1. Upham:

   If either man or woman would realize that the full power of personal beauty, it must be by cherishing noble thoughts and hopes and purposes; by having something to do and something to live for that is worthy of humanity, and which, by expanding and symmetry to the body which contains it.

2. Charles Lamb:

   Borrowers of books --those mutilators of collections, spoilers of the symmetry of shelves, and creators of odd volumes.

3. Hermes Gadelha:

   Human sperm figured out if they roll as they swim, much like playful otters corkscrewing through water, their one-sided stroke would average itself out, and they would swim forwards, the rotation of the sperm is something that is very important. It's something that allows the sperm to regain a symmetry and actually be able to go straight.

4. Ahmedin Jemal:

   One factor that could contribute to the increase is this desire for symmetry, another factor is probably the Angelina Jolie effect. She was diagnosed with the BRCA-1 cancer gene that mutation that causes breast cancer, and she had a double mastectomy, so that was covered widely in the media.

5. Sylvain Piqueux:

   Because carbon dioxide ice has a symmetry of four, we know dry-ice snowflakes would be cube-shaped, thanks to the Mars Climate Sounder, we can tell these snowflakes would be smaller than the width of a human hair.

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