'Symmetry' definitions:
Definition of 'symmetry'
(from WordNet)
noun
(mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane [syn: symmetry, symmetricalness, correspondence, balance] [ant: asymmetry, dissymmetry, imbalance]
noun
Balance among the parts of something [syn: symmetry, proportion] [ant: disproportion]
noun
(physics) the property of being isotropic; having the same value when measured in different directions [syn: isotropy, symmetry] [ant: anisotropy]
Definition of 'Symmetry'
From: GCIDE
- 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]
Synonyms of 'symmetry'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accord,
- accordance,
- affinity,
- agreement,
- arrangement,
- array,
- assent,
- balance,
- beauty,
- chorus,
- coequality,
- coextension,
- coherence,
- coincidence,
- communion,
- community,
- compatibility,
- concert,
- concinnity,
- concord,
- concordance,
- conformance,
- conformation,
- conformity,
- congeniality,
- congruence,
- congruency,
- congruity,
- congruousness,
- consistency,
- consonance,
- consort,
- cooperation,
- corelation,
- correlation,
- correlativism,
- correlativity,
- correspondence,
- deployment,
- disposal,
- disposition,
- equality,
- equation,
- equilibrium,
- equipoise,
- equipollence,
- equiponderance,
- equity,
- equivalence,
- equivalency,
- euphony,
- evenness,
- finish,
- formation,
- harmony,
- identity,
- intersection,
- inverse proportion,
- inverse ratio,
- inverse relationship,
- justice,
- layout,
- levelness,
- likeness,
- lineup,
- marshaling,
- measure,
- measuredness,
- mutuality,
- oneness,
- order,
- orderedness,
- orderliness,
- organization,
- overlap,
- par,
- parallelism,
- parity,
- peace,
- poise,
- proportion,
- proportionality,
- quiet,
- quietude,
- rapport,
- reciprocality,
- reciprocation,
- reciprocity,
- regularity,
- relativity,
- rhythm,
- routine,
- self-consistency,
- setup,
- structure,
- sweetness,
- sync,
- synchronism,
- system,
- tally,
- timing,
- tranquillity,
- uniformity,
- union,
- unison,
- unisonance