SYMMETRICAL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does symmetrical mean? 

• SYMMETRICAL (adjective)
  The adjective SYMMETRICAL has 2 senses:

1. having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts

2. exhibiting equivalence or correspondence among constituents of an entity or between different entities

  Familiarity information: SYMMETRICAL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SYMMETRICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts

Synonyms:

symmetric; symmetrical

Similar:

bilateral; bilaterally symmetric; bilaterally symmetrical; isobilateral (having identical parts on each side of an axis)

biradial (showing both bilateral and radial symmetry)

cruciate; cruciform (shaped like a cross)

even; regular (symmetrically arranged)

interchangeable ((mathematics, logic) such that the arguments or roles can be interchanged)

isosceles ((of a triangle) having two sides of equal length)

radial; radiate; stellate (arranged like rays or radii; radiating from a common center)

centrosymmetric; radially symmetrical (having a symmetrical arrangement of radiating parts about a central point)

rhombohedral; trigonal (having threefold symmetry)

Also:

parallel (being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting)

regular (in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle)

Antonym:

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

Derivation:

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exhibiting equivalence or correspondence among constituents of an entity or between different entities

Synonyms:

harmonious; proportionate; symmetrical

Similar:

balanced (being in a state of proper equilibrium)

 Context examples 

A symmetrical dimeric bis-naphthalimide compound and a topoisomerase II inhibitor with antineoplastic activity.

(Elinafide, NCI Thesaurus)

KU70 and KU80 form a dyad-symmetrical ring molecule that encircles duplex DNA.

(Ku Protein, NCI Thesaurus)

Symmetrical patches of tan or brown discoloration on the skin of the face that darken with sun exposure.

(Melasma, NCI Thesaurus)

It presents with multiple symmetrical hypopigmented or depigmented patches of skin and a midline patch of white hair.

(Piebaldism, NCI Thesaurus)

Had you sat in the centre of a hansom you would probably have had no splashes, and if you had they would certainly have been symmetrical.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

These depressions are held together by the strength of the surface dust layer, or regolith and tend to be more circular and symmetrical than large craters.

(The Moon and Mercury May Have Thick Ice Deposits, NASA)

A hypersensitivity reaction characterized by the sudden appearance of symmetrical cutaneous and mucocutaneous macular or papular lesions which evolve into lesions with bright red borders (target lesions).

(Erythema Multiforme, NCI Thesaurus)

The system is located some 14,800 light-years from Earth in 47 Tucanae, one of the dense symmetrical globular clusters associated with our Milky Way galaxy.

(Astronomers Find Closest Star to A Black Hole, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The Dalmatian is a symmetrical, muscular medium-sized dog with superior endurance.

(Dalmatian, NCI Thesaurus)

Clinical signs of the symmetrical form are identical to those of Turner syndrome and include bilateral webbing of the neck and edema of the extremities.

(Bonnevie-Ullrich Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)