[ad. Gr. ἀσυμμετρία, n. of quality f. ἀσύμμετρος: see SYMMETRY.]
1. Math. The relation of two quantities that have no common measure, as 1 and √2; incommensurability. ? Obs.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., 4. 100. Equality, proportion, symmetry and assymmetry of magnitudes.
1675. Collins, in Rigaud, Corr. Sci. Men, II. 264. The method of shunning asymmetries mentioned in Des Cartes.
1796. in Hutton, Math. Dict., I. 162.
2. Want of symmetry, defective correspondence between things or their parts, disproportion.
1664. Evelyn, Frearts Archit., Ep. Ded. 8. The asymmetrie of our Buildings.
1672. J. Worthington, in Medes Wks., Introd. 32. There was an asymmetry and disproportion in the subservient Faculties.
1877. Huxley, Anat. Inv. Anim., viii. 530. Male Cephalopods are distinguished by the asymmetry of their arms.