Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “symmetrically” come from?

Symmetrically derives from the English adverbial suffix -ly, which comes from Old English -līċ, from Proto-Germanic -līkaz and galīkaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots ḱóm and līg-.

symmetrically (English): In a symmetrical manner; so as to show symmetry

Definitions

  1. In a symmetrical manner; so as to show symmetry

Ancestry of “symmetrically”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsymmetricalExhibiting symmetry; having harmonious or...
2EnglishsymmetryExact correspondence on either side of a dividing...
3Latinsymmetriasymmetry, proportion
4Ancient Greekσυμμετρίαcommensurability; symmetry, due proportion; a...
5Ancient Greekσύμμετροςsymmetrical
6Ancient Greekμέτρονsomething used to measure: measure, rule, weight;...
7Ancient Greek-τρονForms instrument nouns
8Proto-Hellenic-tronForms instrument nouns from verb stems
9Proto-Indo-European-tromForms nouns denoting a tool or instrument

Words derived from “symmetrically”

  • nonsymmetrically
Every word from Proto-Indo-European -trom →