ASYMMETRY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does asymmetry mean? 

• ASYMMETRY (noun)
  The noun ASYMMETRY has 1 sense:

1. (mathematics) a lack of symmetry

  Familiarity information: ASYMMETRY used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ASYMMETRY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(mathematics) a lack of symmetry

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

asymmetry; dissymmetry; imbalance

Hypernyms ("asymmetry" is a kind of...):

spatial property; spatiality (any property relating to or occupying space)

Domain category:

math; mathematics; maths (a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "asymmetry"):

geometrical irregularity; irregularity (an irregular asymmetry in shape; an irregular spatial pattern)

lopsidedness; skewness (an oblique or slanting asymmetry)

radial asymmetry (the absence of symmetry about an axis)

handedness; laterality (the property of using one hand more than the other)

footedness (the property of favoring one foot over the other (as in kicking a ball))

eyedness (the property of favoring one eye over the other (as in taking aim))

Antonym:

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

Derivation:

asymmetric; asymmetrical (characterized by asymmetry in the spatial arrangement or placement of parts or components)

 Context examples 

This gene is involved in left-right asymmetry determination of organ systems during development.

(LEFTY1 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

The asymmetry may be manifested in the entire side or part of it.

(Hemihypertrophy, NCI Thesaurus)

This allele, which encodes left-right determination factor B protein, plays a role in left-right asymmetry determination of organ systems during development.

(LEFTY1 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

It plays a role in the determination of left-right asymmetry.

(LEFTY2 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

A green-fluorescent dye that has the ability to penetrate apoptotic cells because of permeability changes associated with the loss in asymmetry of the plasma membrane.

(Monomeric Cyanine Dye, NCI Thesaurus)

This allele, which encodes transforming growth factor beta-4 protein, plays a role in the left-right asymmetry determination of organ systems during development and is also involved in endometrial bleeding regulation.

(LEFTY2 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

This protein is secreted and plays a role in left-right asymmetry determination of organ systems during development.

(Endometrial Bleeding Associated Factor, NCI Thesaurus)

This asymmetry disappears when we see the disk exactly face on because, from that perspective, none of the material is moving along our line of sight.

(NASA Visualization Shows a Black Hole’s Warped World, NASA)

Juno’s measurement of Jupiter’s gravity field indicates a north-south asymmetry, similar to the asymmetry observed in its zones and belts.

(Jupiter’s Jet-Streams Are Unearthly, NASA)

“Once the ice cap forms, it provides a slight asymmetry that either locks toward or away from Charon when Pluto’s spin slows to match the orbital motion of the moon,” Hamilton said.

(Scientists Probe Mystery of Pluto’s Icy Heart, NASA)