A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Sc Sh Sk Sm So Sp St Su Sy
Symb Symm

Symmetry

/ˈsimitrē/

Noun

1. In biology, the repetition of the parts in an animal or plant in an orderly fashion. Specifically, symmetry refers to a correspondence of body parts, in size, shape, and relative position, on opposite sides of a dividing line or distributed around a central point or axis. With the exception of radial symmetry, external form has little relation to internal anatomy, since animals of very different anatomical construction may have the same type of symmetry. (global.britannica.com)

2. In biology, is the balanced distribution of duplicate body parts or shapes. In nature and biology, symmetry is approximate. For example, plant leaves, while considered symmetric, rarely match up exactly when folded in half. Symmetry creates a class of patterns in nature, where the near-repetition of the pattern element is by reflection or rotation. (wikipedia.org)

3. Exact correspondence on either side of a dividing line, plane, center or axis. (wiktionary.org)

4. The satisfying arrangement of a balanced distribution of the elements of a whole. (wiktionary.org)

5. A due proportion of the several parts of a body to each other; adaptation of the form or dimensions of the several parts of a thing to each other; the union and conformity of the members of a work to the whole. (biology-online.org)

5. In biology, the law of likeness; similarity of structure; regularity in form and arrangement; orderly and similar distribution of parts, such that an animal may be divided into parts which are structurally symmetrical. (biology-online.org)

6. In botany, equality in the number of parts of the successive circles in a flower. Likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regularity. Axis of symmetry. (biology-online.org)

Word origin: From Latin symmetria, from Greek symmetria “agreement in dimensions, due proportion, arrangement,” from symmetros “having a common measure, even, proportionate.”

From syn– “together” + metron “meter”. Meaning “harmonic arrangement of parts” first recorded 1590s.