asymmetry

[ ey-sim-i-tree ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being asymmetric.

asymmetry

/ eɪ-; æˈsɪmɪtrɪ /

noun

1. lack or absence of symmetry in spatial arrangements or in mathematical or logical relations

Word History and Origins

Origin of asymmetry¹

First recorded in 1645–55, asymmetry is from the Greek word asymmetría lack of proportion. See a- ⁶, symmetry

Example Sentences

I continued to think about the growing asymmetry of access to capital, talent and knowledge in the startup ecosystem and the lack of infrastructure addressing it.

From TechCrunch

Theorists soon came out with a number of possible ways to explain the proton’s asymmetry.

From Quanta Magazine

If only we could fix those asymmetries, we tell ourselves, or fill that gap and find that missing ingredient—whether it’s a title, a certain weight, the cure for some anxiety or acceptance in a group we covet—we’ll finally feel whole.

From Time

These operations undermine human autonomy and create huge societal asymmetries of knowledge and power—a whole new dimension of inequality.

From Time

Thus, its brain asymmetry was not caused by hormones, but by genes directly.

From No Straight News

“Always darker and to correct what they believe is asymmetry,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

That asymmetry explains a great deal of the difference between the parties.

From The Daily Beast

He embraces asymmetry, is besotted by rhinestones, and swoons over the promise of romance hidden in dark shadows.

From The Daily Beast

But he also sees sexual asymmetry as an impoverished view of sex.

From The Daily Beast

Another feature of interest which first becomes apparent during this stage is the asymmetry of the germinal disc.

From Project Gutenberg

The size and shape of the head, its malformations and asymmetry, may be measured with a fair amount of success.

From Project Gutenberg

The southern slopes are snow-clad, the northern are snow-free—in harmony with the line of asymmetry.

From Project Gutenberg

There was slight asymmetry of the face, due to flattening on the right side; there was no perceptible lack of cranial symmetry.

From Project Gutenberg

Another time, after listening to a reprimand from the headmaster, he twitted that learned man with the asymmetry of his neckcloth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• imbalance
• inequality