Asymmetry
/eɪˈsɪm.ə.tri/noun
Lack of symmetry or balance between corresponding parts.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek a- (“not”) plus symmetria (“measured together”), so its original force is less “ugly” and more “out of alignment.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*meh₂-
“to measure”
Ancient Greek
Greek
a- + symmetria
“not measured together; lack of proportion”
Late Latin
Latin
asymmetria
“lack of proportion or symmetry”
Late Middle English
English
asymetrie
“absence of proportion or correspondence”
Modern English
English
asymmetry
“lack of symmetry or balanced correspondence”