*sym*

{ } a. [ See Asymmetrous. ] 1. Incommensurable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;. ] Asymmetrical. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;; 'a priv. + &unr_; symmetry. ] 1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. lack of bilateral symmetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Incommensurability. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. (Med.) showing no symptoms of disease.
Syn. -- symptomless. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_; not falling together; 'a priv. + &unr_; to fall together; &unr_; with + &unr_; to fall. Cf. Symptom. ] (Math.) A line which approaches nearer to some curve than assignable distance, but, though infinitely extended, would never meet it. Asymptotes may be straight lines or curves. A rectilinear asymptote may be conceived as a tangent to the curve at an infinite distance. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. dasy`s rough, thick + -meter. ] (Physics) An instrument for testing the density of gases, consisting of a thin glass globe, which is weighed in the gas or gases, and then in an atmosphere of known density. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not having symmetry; asymmetrical; unsymmetrical. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. dis- + symmetry. ] Absence or defect of symmetry; asymmetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Lack of sympathy; want of interest; indifference. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. me`sos middle + &unr_; a festive song. See Hymn. ] (Anc. Poetry) A repetition at the end of a stanza. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Mono- + symmetric, -ical. ] (Crystallog.) Same as Monoclinic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Corrupted fr. It. passamezzo. ] [ Obs. ] See Paspy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Crystallog.) Exhibiting pseudo-symmetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pseudo- + symmetry. ] (Crystallog.) A kind of symmetry characteristic of certain crystals which from twinning, or other causes, come to resemble forms of a system other than that to which they belong, as the apparently hexagonal prisms of aragonite. [ 1913 Webster ]

See Syn-. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ }, n. See Simar. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Cimbal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. symbi`wsis a living together, symbioy^n to live together; sy`n with + &unr_; to live. ] (Biol.) The living together in more or less imitative association or even close union of two dissimilar organisms. In a broad sense the term includes parasitism, or
antagonistic symbiosis or
antipathetic symbiosis, in which the association is disadvantageous or destructive to one of the organisms, but ordinarily it is used of cases where the association is advantageous, or often necessary, to one or both, and not harmful to either. When there is bodily union (in extreme cases so close that the two form practically a single body, as in the union of algae and fungi to form lichens, and in the inclusion of algae in radiolarians) it is called
conjunctive symbiosis; if there is no actual union of the organisms (as in the association of ants with myrmecophytes),
disjunctive symbiosis. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ Gr. symbiwtiko`s. ] (Biol.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, or living in, a state of symbiosis. -- Sym`bi*ot"ic*al a. -- Sym`bi*ot"ic*al*ly adv. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ L. symbolus, symbolum, Gr. sy`mbolon a sign by which one knows or infers a thing, from symba`llein to throw or put together, to compare; sy`n with + ba`llein to throw: cf. F. symbole. Cf. Emblem, Parable. ] 1. A visible sign or representation of an idea; anything which suggests an idea or quality, or another thing, as by resemblance or by convention; an emblem; a representation; a type; a figure; as, the lion is the symbol of courage; the lamb is the symbol of meekness or patience. [ 1913 Webster ]

A symbol is a sign included in the idea which it represents, e. g., an actual part chosen to represent the whole, or a lower form or species used as the representative of a higher in the same kind. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Any character used to represent a quantity, an operation, a relation, or an abbreviation. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In crystallography, the symbol of a plane is the numerical expression which defines its position relatively to the assumed axes. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Theol.) An abstract or compendium of faith or doctrine; a creed, or a summary of the articles of religion. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. [ Gr. &unr_; contributions. ] That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They do their work in the days of peace . . . and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Share; allotment. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The persons who are to be judged . . . shall all appear to receive their symbol. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Chem.) An abbreviation standing for the name of an element and consisting of the initial letter of the Latin or New Latin name, or sometimes of the initial letter with a following one; as, C for carbon, Na for sodium (Natrium), Fe for iron (Ferrum), Sn for tin (Stannum), Sb for antimony (Stibium), etc. See the list of names and symbols under Element. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In pure and organic chemistry there are symbols not only for the elements, but also for their grouping in formulas, radicals, or residues, as evidenced by their composition, reactions, synthesis, etc. See the diagram of Benzene nucleus, under Benzene. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Emblem; figure; type. See Emblem. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To symbolize. [ R. ] Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. symbolique. See Symbolic, a. ] (Theol.) See Symbolics. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. symbolicus, Gr. symboliko`s: cf. F. symbolique. ] Of or pertaining to a symbol or symbols; of the nature of a symbol; exhibiting or expressing by resemblance or signs; representative; as, the figure of an eye is symbolic of sight and knowledge. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Sym*bol"ic*al*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

The sacrament is a representation of Christ's death by such symbolical actions as he himself appointed. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Symbolical delivery (Law), the delivery of property sold by delivering something else as a symbol, token, or representative of it. Bouvier. Chitty. --
Symbolical philosophy, the philosophy expressed by hieroglyphics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The study of ancient symbols; esp. (Theol.), that branch of historic theology which treats of creeds and confessions of faith; symbolism; -- called also symbolic. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of symbolizing, or the state of being symbolized; as, symbolism in Christian art is the representation of truth, virtues, vices, etc., by emblematic colors, signs, and forms. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A system of symbols or representations. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Chem.) (a) The practice of using symbols, or the system of notation developed thereby. (b) A combining together of parts or ingredients. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Theol.) The science of creeds; symbolics. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who employs symbols. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. Characterized by the use of symbols; as, symbolistic poetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. symbolisation. ] The act of symbolizing; symbolical representation. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Symbolized p. pr. & vb. n. Symbolizing ] [ Cf. F. symboliser. ] 1. To have a resemblance of qualities or properties; to correspond; to harmonize. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pleasing of color symbolizeth with the pleasing of any single tone to the ear; but the pleasing of order doth symbolize with harmony. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

They both symbolize in this, that they love to look upon themselves through multiplying glasses. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To hold the same faith; to agree. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The believers in pretended miracles have always previously symbolized with the performers of them. G. S. Faber. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To use symbols; to represent ideas symbolically. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To make to agree in properties or qualities. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make representative of something; to regard or treat as symbolic. “Some symbolize the same from the mystery of its colors.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To represent by a symbol or symbols. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who symbolizes. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to a symbology; versed in, or characterized by, symbology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who practices, or who is versed in, symbology. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Symbol + -logy. ] The art of expressing by symbols. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ NL., fr. Gr. sy`n with + &unr_; a gill. ] (Zool.) An order of slender eel-like fishes having the gill openings confluent beneath the neck. The pectoral arch is generally attached to the skull, and the entire margin of the upper jaw is formed by the premaxillary. Called also Symbranchia. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Commensurable; symmetrical. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One eminently studious of symmetry of parts. [ R. ] Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Symmetrical. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. symétrique. See Symmetry. ] 1. Involving or exhibiting symmetry; proportional in parts; having its parts in due proportion as to dimensions; as, a symmetrical body or building. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) Having the organs or parts of one side corresponding with those of the other; having the parts in two or more series of organs the same in number; exhibiting a symmetry. See Symmetry, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bot.) (a) Having an equal number of parts in the successive circles of floral organs; -- said of flowers. (b) Having a likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regular. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Math.) Having a common measure; commensurable. (b) Having corresponding parts or relations. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A curve or a plane figure is symmetrical with respect to a given line, and a line, surface, or solid with respect to a plane, when for each point on one side of the line or plane there is a corresponding point on the other side, so situated that the line joining the two corresponding points is perpendicular to the line or plane and is bisected by it. Two solids are symmetrical when they are so situated with respect to an intervening plane that the several points of their surfaces thus correspond to each other in position and distance. In analysis, an expression is symmetrical with respect to several letters when any two of them may change places without affecting the expression; as, the expression a2b + ab2 + a2c + ac2 + b2c + bc2, is symmetrical with respect to the letters a, b, c. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Sym*met"ric*al*ly, adv. -- Sym*met"ric*al*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Symmetrian. [ R. ] Holinshed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One eminently studious of symmetry of parts. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Symmetrized p. pr. & vb. n. Symmetrizing ] [ Cf. F. symétriser. ] To make proportional in its parts; to reduce to symmetry. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. symmetria, Gr. &unr_;; sy`n with, together + &unr_; a measure: cf. F. symétrie. See Syn-, and Meter rhythm. ] 1. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Bilateral symmetry, or two-sidedness, in vertebrates, etc., is that in which the body can be divided into symmetrical halves by a vertical plane passing through the middle; radial symmetry, as in echinoderms, is that in which the individual parts are arranged symmetrically around a central axis; serial symmetry, or zonal symmetry, as in earthworms, is that in which the segments or metameres of the body are disposed in a zonal manner one after the other in a longitudinal axis. This last is sometimes called metamerism. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bot.) (a) Equality in the number of parts of the successive circles in a flower. (b) Likeness in the form and size of floral organs of the same kind; regularity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Axis of symmetry. (Geom.) See under Axis. --
Respective symmetry, that disposition of parts in which only the opposite sides are equal to each other. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Sympathy, and cf. Pathetic. ] 1. Inclined to sympathy; sympathizing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Far wiser he, whose sympathetic mind
Exults in all the good of all mankind. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Produced by, or expressive of, sympathy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ope the sacred source of sympathetic tears. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Physiol.) (a) Produced by sympathy; -- applied particularly to symptoms or affections. See Sympathy. (b) Of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system or some of its branches; produced by stimulation on the sympathetic nervious system or some part of it; as, the sympathetic saliva, a modified form of saliva, produced from some of the salivary glands by stimulation of a sympathetic nerve fiber. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sympathetic ink. (Chem.) See under Ink. --
Sympathetic nerve (Anat.), any nerve of the sympathetic system; especially, the axial chain of ganglions and nerves belonging to the sympathetic system. --
Sympathetic powder (Alchemy), a kind of powder long supposed to be able to cure a wound if applied to the weapon that inflicted it, or even to a portion of the bloody clothes. Dunglison. --
Sympathetic sounds (Physics), sounds produced from solid bodies by means of vibrations which have been communicated to them from some other sounding body, by means of the air or an intervening solid. --
Sympathetic system (Anat.), a system of nerves and nerve ganglions connected with the alimentary canal, the vascular system, and the glandular organs of most vertebrates, and controlling more or less their actions. The axial part of the system and its principal ganglions and nerves are situated in the body cavity and form a chain of ganglions on each side of the vertebral column connected with numerous other ganglions and nerve plexuses. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Sympathetic. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a sympathetic manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who sympathizes; a sympathizer. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Sympathized p. pr. & vb. n. Sympathizing ] [ F. sympathiser. See Sympathy. ] 1. To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mind will sympathize so much with the anguish and debility of the body, that it will be too distracted to fix itself in meditation. Buckminster. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their countrymen . . . sympathized with their heroes in all their adventures. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]