symmetrical Hear it!

symmetrical Definition

sym·met·ri·cal (si me′tri kəl)

adjective

having or showing symmetry; specif.,

  1. Bot. that can be divided into similar halves by a plane passing through the center; also, having the same number of parts in each whorl of leaves: said of a flower
  2. Chem. exhibiting a regular repeated pattern of atoms in the structural formula; specif., designating a compound (benzene derivative) in which substitution takes place at the alternate carbon atoms
  3. Math., Logic designating an equation, relation, etc. whose terms can be interchanged without affecting its validity
  4. Med. affecting corresponding parts of the body simultaneously in the same way: said of a disease, infection, etc.

Etymology: symmetr(y) + -ical

symmetrical Related Forms

sym·met′·ri·cally adverb

symmetrical Synonyms

symmetrical

modif.

balanced, well-formed, shapely, proportional, well-set; see also regular 3.

symmetrical Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • axis: It is six sided in trace and is symmetrical about a north south axis.
  • center: There should now be at least 7 dots visible on the screen symmetrical about a bright center dot.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

make: Was their once a third one to the west, making the group symmetrical?

Modifies a noun

  • alkene: This page assumes that you have already read the page on the addition of bromine to symmetrical alkenes.
  • façade: The superbly symmetrical façade is worthy of a closer look.
  • facade: Three stories, three bays, a symmetrical facade with central doorway.
  • coupling: It is also consistent with Onsager's reciprocity relationship or symmetrical coupling between all energy modes.
  • formula: Letter from Baroness Hollis, minister for child support The letter rejects the proposed symmetrical formula.
  • pattern: Both hands are affected usually in a more or less symmetrical pattern.

Modifying Another Word

  • bilaterally: Arnold's report shows a bilaterally symmetrical craft that travels in the direction of the axis of symmetry.
  • radially: A blade that is radially symmetrical is said to have zero skew.
  • perfectly: In all the foregoing cases the two sides are perfectly symmetrical at an early period of growth.
  • approximately: For lagged profiles that extend on either side of measured cells, the resultant matrix will be approximately symmetrical along the leading diagonal.
  • completely: The map is completely symmetrical, both planes are identical.
  • highly: The main part of the level is highly symmetrical, but there are good features and details which make it very distinctive.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: Makes it look more symmetrical, don't you think?
  • appear: Atomic spectra generally consist of many sharp lines which, in the absence of spectral overlap, appear symmetrical.
  • become: As a result your body will become more symmetrical.
  • make: Typically, blades had been made symmetrical about the shaft.

Preposition: in

shape: Other arrowheads were not symmetrical in shape, and are not as commonly found.