Asymmetry Meaning
/eɪˈsɪmɪtɹi/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAn absence of symmetry or proportion between the parts of a thing, or a distinction that produces such a lack of symmetry.
nounThe lack of a common measure between two objects or quantities; incommensurability.
Sentence Examples
Do you know that the French do not hear the difference between "symmetry" and "asymmetry"?
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist noted the ____ in the data, with results differing on each side.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The artist used ____ in the painting to create a sense of movement.
Word Origin & History
From Ancient Greek ἀσυμμετρία (asummetría), from ἀσύμμετρος (asúmmetros) + -ία (-ía), from ἀ- (a-) + σύμμετρος (súmmetros); equivalent to a- + symmetry.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Despite the generally symmetrical appearance of the two hemispheres, however, a number of biological asymmetries have been documented during the last hundred years."
— 1993, Joseph B. Hellige, Hemispheric Asymmetry: What's Right and What's Left, →ISBN, page 114:
"If the planet is on moderate eccentric orbit (0.01), it creates large-scale azimuthal assymetries which evolve at the orbital velocity of the corresponding resonance, for example at half time the planet velocity for the stronger resonance, the 2:1 one."
— 1994, Roger Ferlet, Alfred Vidal-Madjar, Circumstellar Dust Disks and Planet Formation, →ISBN:
"In this sense, the concern of political economy with assymetries of information among political actors is well-placed."
— 1997, American Bar Foundation, ABF Working Paper - Issue 9304; Issue 9426, page 75:
"Transnational feminists argue that feminists need to understand the material conditions that shape women's lives in diverse locations, particularly in a world "structured by transnational economic links and cultural assymetries" (Grewal and Kaplan, 3)."
— 2014, Amal Amireh, Lisa Suhair Majaj, Going Global: The Transnational Reception of Third World Women Writers, →ISBN:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The scientist noted the ____ in the data, with results differing on each side.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The artist used ____ in the painting to create a sense of movement.