symmetry

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun (mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
  2. noun balance among the parts of something
  3. noun (physics) the property of being isotropic; having the same value when measured in different directions

Etymology

From Latin symmetria, from Ancient Greek συμμετρία (summetría), from σύμμετρος (súmmetros, “symmetrical”), from σύν (sún, “with”) + μέτρον (métron, “measure”). By surface analysis, sym- + -metry.

In classic literature

Synonyms

symmetricalness, correspondence, balance

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