different between asymmetric vs desymmetrize

English

Etymology

From a- +? symmetric, as Ancient Greek ?????????? (asummetría, “disproportion, deformity”).

Pronunciation

Adjective

asymmetric (comparative more asymmetric, superlative most asymmetric)

1. Not symmetric.

   an asymmetric shape

   asymmetric gameplay, where different players have different experiences

2. (cryptography) Not involving a mutual exchange of keys between the sender and receiver.
3. (set theory) Of a relation R on a set S: having the property that for any two elements of S (not necessarily distinct), at least one is not related to the other via R.

Synonyms

• (shape: not symmetric): asymmetrical
• nonsymmetric
• unsymmetrical

Antonyms

• (shape: symmetric): symmetrical

Derived terms

• asymmetric bars
• asymmetric centre
• asymmetric meter
• asymmetric warfare
• asymmetrically

Translations

See also

• antisymmetric
• dissymmetric
• non-symmetric

English

Etymology

de- +? symmetrize

Verb

desymmetrize (third-person singular simple present desymmetrizes, present participle desymmetrizing, simple past and past participle desymmetrized)

1. (chemistry) To convert a symmetric molecule into an asymmetric one in such a way that both enantiomers may be isolated

Related terms

• desymmetrization