adj.
Pronunciation: s ə - ' me-tri-k ə l
Variant: or sym · met · ric \ -trik \
Function: adjective
Date: 1653
1 : having, involving, or exhibiting symmetry
2 : having corresponding points whose connecting lines are bisected by a given point or perpendicularly bisected by a given line or plane < symmetrical curves>
3 symmetric : being such that the terms or variables may be interchanged without altering the value, character, or truth < symmetric equations> <R is a symmetric relation if a R b implies b R a >
4 a : capable of division by a longitudinal plane into similar halves < symmetrical plant parts> b : having the same number of members in each whorl of floral leaves < symmetrical flowers>
5 : affecting corresponding parts simultaneously and similarly < symmetrical rash>
6 : exhibiting symmetry in a structural formula especially : being a derivative with groups substituted symmetrically in the molecule
– sym · met · ri · cal · ly \ -tri-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– sym · met · ri · cal · ness \ -k ə l-n ə s \ noun