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chirality (kahy-RAL-i-tee) - n., the quality of not being superimposable on a mirror image, dissymmetry, handedness.
Best known from chemistry, where many organic molecules have flipped stereoisomers, but the concept is important in several branches of math and science. Note also that something can be chiral and still be symmetric -- just not mirror-symmetric. Coined in 1894 by William Thomson, Lord Kelvin from Greek cheír, hand.
---L.
Best known from chemistry, where many organic molecules have flipped stereoisomers, but the concept is important in several branches of math and science. Note also that something can be chiral and still be symmetric -- just not mirror-symmetric. Coined in 1894 by William Thomson, Lord Kelvin from Greek cheír, hand.
---L.
