symmetry

symmetry
sym•me•try
[[t]ˈsɪm ɪ tri[/t]] n. pl. -tries
1) bio 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 due proportion of the parts of a body or whole to one another with regard to size and form; excellence of proportion
3) beauty based on or characterized by such excellence of proportion
4) math. a type of regularity, as of a circle or other plane figure, that is characterized by the geometric operations, as rotation or reflection, that leave a figure unchanged
5) phs a property of a physical system that allows the system to remain unchanged by a specific physical or mathematical transformation, as rotation or translation
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Etymology: 1535–45; < L symmetria < Gk symmetría. See sym-, -metry syn: symmetry, balance, proportion, harmony all denote qualities based on a correspondence or agreement, usu. pleasing, among the parts of a whole. symmetry implies a regularity in form and arrangement of corresponding parts: the perfect symmetry of pairs of matched columns. balance implies equilibrium of dissimilar parts, often as a means of emphasis: a balance of humor and seriousness. proportion implies a proper relation among parts: His long arms were not in proportion to his body. harmony suggests a consistent, pleasing, or orderly combination of parts: harmony of color.

From formal English to slang. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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 — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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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