Etymology
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chiral (adj.)

in reference to three-dimensional forms not superposable on their mirror-images, 1894, a hybrid coined by Lord Kelvin from Latinized combining form of Greek kheir "hand" (from PIE root *ghes- "hand") + -al (1). Related: Chiralism "right-left handedness" (by 2012).

Entries linking to chiral

*ghes- 

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "the hand." 

It forms all or part of: chiral; chiro-; chirognomy; chirography; chirology; chiromancy; chiropodist; chiropractic; chiropractor; chirosophy; chirurgeon; enchiridion; surgeon; surgery; surgical.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Greek kheir, Hittite keshshar, Armenian jern "the hand" 

-al (1)

suffix forming adjectives from nouns or other adjectives, "of, like, related to, pertaining to," Middle English -al, -el, from French or directly from Latin -alis (see -al (2)).

updated on December 28, 2017

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Dictionary entries near chiral

chipotle

Chippendale

chipper

Chippewa

chippy

chiral

chirarism

chiro-

chirognomy

chirography

chirology

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