Symmetry

Symmetry
Symmetry Sym"me*try, n. [L. symmetria, Gr. ?; sy`n with, together + ? a measure: cf. F. sym['e]trie. See {Syn-}, and {Meter} rhythm.] 1. 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. [1913 Webster]

2. (Biol.) 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. [1913 Webster]

Note: Bilateral symmetry, or two-sidedness, in vertebrates, etc., is that in which the body can be divided into symmetrical halves by a vertical plane passing through the middle; radial symmetry, as in echinoderms, is that in which the individual parts are arranged symmetrically around a central axis; serial symmetry, or zonal symmetry, as in earthworms, is that in which the segments or metameres of the body are disposed in a zonal manner one after the other in a longitudinal axis. This last is sometimes called metamerism. [1913 Webster]

3. (Bot.) (a) Equality in the number of parts of the successive circles in a flower. (b) Likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regularity. [1913 Webster]

{Axis of symmetry}. (Geom.) See under {Axis}.

{Respective symmetry}, that disposition of parts in which only the opposite sides are equal to each other. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • symmetry — symmetry, proportion, balance, harmony are comparable chiefly as used in the arts of design and decoration to mean a quality which gives aesthetic pleasure and which depends upon the proper relating of details and parts to each other (as in… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • symmetry — [sim′ə trē] n. pl. symmetries [< MFr or L: MFr symmetrie (now symétrie) < L symmetria < Gr < symmetros, measured together < syn , together + metron, a MEASURE] 1. similarity of form or arrangement on either side of a dividing line… …   English World dictionary

  • symmetry — index analogy, arrangement (ordering), balance (equality), constant, correspondence (similarity) …   Law dictionary

  • symmetry — 1560s, relation of parts, proportion, from L. symmetria, from Gk. symmetria agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement, from symmetros having a common measure, even, proportionate, from syn together + metron meter (see METER (Cf. meter) …   Etymology dictionary

  • symmetry — [n] proportion agreement, arrangement, balance, centrality, conformity, correspondence, equality, equilibrium, equipoise, equivalence, evenness, finish, form, harmony, order, proportionality, regularity, rhythm, shapeliness, similarity; concepts… …   New thesaurus

  • symmetry — ► NOUN (pl. symmetries) 1) the quality of being made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis. 2) correct or pleasing proportion of parts. 3) similarity or exact correspondence. ORIGIN Latin symmetria, from Greek sun with + …   English terms dictionary

  • Symmetry — For other uses, see Symmetry (disambiguation) …   Wikipedia

  • symmetry — /sim i tree/, n., pl. symmetries. 1. the correspondence in size, form, and arrangement of parts on opposite sides of a plane, line, or point; regularity of form or arrangement in terms of like, reciprocal, or corresponding parts. 2. the proper or …   Universalium

  • Symmetry — (Roget s Thesaurus) >Regularity of form. < N PARAG:Symmetry >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 symmetry symmetry shapeliness finish Sgm: N 1 beauty beauty &c. 845 Sgm: N 1 proportion proportion eurythmy uniformity parallelism …   English dictionary for students

  • symmetry — [[t]sɪ̱mɪtri[/t]] symmetries 1) N VAR Something that has symmetry is symmetrical in shape, design, or structure. ...the incredible beauty and symmetry of a snowflake... I loved the house because it had perfect symmetry... Their own lives already… …   English dictionary

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