chiral
[ kahy-ruh l ]
/ ˈkaɪ rəl /
adjective Chemistry.
(of a molecule) not superimposable on its mirror image.
Origin of chiral
OTHER WORDS FROM chiral
chi·ral·i·ty [kahy-ral-i-tee] /kaɪˈræl ɪ ti/, nounWords nearby chiral
British Dictionary definitions for chirality
chirality
/ (kaɪˈrælɪtɪ) /
noun
the configuration or handedness (left or right) of an asymmetric, optically active chemical compound
Also called: dissymmetry
Derived forms of chirality
chiral, adjectiveWord Origin for chirality
C19: from Greek
kheir hand +
-al
1 +
-ity
Medical definitions for chirality
chiral
[ kī′rəl ]
adj.
Of or relating to the structural characteristic of a molecule that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image.
Other words from chiral
chi•ral′i•ty (kī-răl′ĭ-tē) n.Scientific definitions for chirality
chirality
[ kī-răl′ĭ-tē ]
The characteristic of a structure (usually a molecule) that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image. Also called handedness See also helicity invariance optical isomer.