symmetrical

[si-me-tri-kuh l] /sɪˈmɛ trɪ kəl/
adjective
1.
characterized by or exhibiting symmetry; well-proportioned, as a body or whole; regular in form or arrangement of corresponding parts.
2.
Geometry.
  1. noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by an axis:
    Points (1, 1) and (1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to the x-axis.
  2. noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same axis.
  3. noting two points in a plane such that the line segment joining the points is bisected by a point or center:
    The points (1, 1) and (−1, −1) are symmetrical with respect to (0, 0).
  4. noting a set consisting of pairs of points having this relation with respect to the same center.
3.
Often, symmetric. Mathematics.
  1. noting a square matrix that is equal to its transpose.
  2. noting a dyad or dyadic that is equal to its conjugate.
  3. noting a relation in which one element in relation to a second implies the second in relation to the first.
4.
Botany.
  1. divisible into two similar parts by more than one plane passing through the center; actinomorphic.
  2. (of a flower) having the same number of parts in each whorl.
5.
Chemistry.
  1. having a structure that exhibits a regular repeated pattern of the component parts.
  2. noting a benzene derivative in which three substitutions have occurred at alternate carbon atoms.
6.
affecting corresponding parts simultaneously, as certain diseases.
Also, symmetric.
Origin
1745-55; symmetr(y) + -ical
Related forms
symmetrically, adverb
symmetricalness, noun
nonsymmetrical, adjective
unsymmetrical, adjective
unsymmetrically, adverb
Synonyms
1. balanced, orderly, regular, congruent.
Examples from the web for symmetrical
  • Her features are perfectly symmetrical as are her teeth.
  • Avoid grids that can be divided in two by blackening either two symmetrical squares or the center square.
  • Some animals, such as jellyfish and sea urchins, are radially symmetrical.
  • Showy, deep pink to red bilaterally symmetrical flowers bloom in profusion near the top of this leafy, several-stemmed plant.
  • Placing a molecule that's essential to life within a spherically symmetrical one could let researchers learn more about each.
  • It may require pruning from time to time to maintain a pleasingly symmetrical outline.
  • To ensure the long-term survival of our species, we're genetically predisposed to be attracted to symmetrical faces.
  • There are two basic kinds of catamarans on the market: symmetrical and asymmetrical.
  • Flowers small, but organized into larger heads resembling a single, radially symmetrical flower cupped by a ring of green bracts.
  • symmetrical faces tend to be judged as more attractive than asymmetrical ones.
British Dictionary definitions for symmetrical

symmetrical

/sɪˈmɛtrɪkəl/
adjective
1.
possessing or displaying symmetry Compare asymmetric
2.
(maths)
  1. (of two points) capable of being joined by a line that is bisected by a given point or bisected perpendicularly by a given line or plane: the points (x, y) and (–x, –y) are symmetrical about the origin
  2. (of a configuration) having pairs of points that are symmetrical about a given point, line, or plane: a circle is symmetrical about a diameter
  3. (of an equation or function of two or more variables) remaining unchanged in form after an interchange of two variables: x + y = z is a symmetrical equation
3.
(chem) (of a compound) having a molecular structure in which substituents are symmetrical about the molecule
4.
(botany) another word for isomerous
5.
Also symmetric. (of a disease, infection, etc) affecting both sides of the body or corresponding parts, such as both legs
Derived Forms
symmetrically, adverb
symmetricalness, noun
Word Origin and History for symmetrical
adj.

1570s (implied in symmetrically), from symmetry + -ical.

symmetrical in Science
symmetric (sĭ-mět'rĭk) or symmetrical
  (sĭ-mět'rĭk)   

  1. Relating to or exhibiting symmetry.

  2. Relating to a logical or mathematical relation between two elements such that if the first element is related to the second element, the second element is related in like manner to the first. The relation a = b is symmetric, whereas the relation a > b is not.