symmetric

  1. Adjective.  Symmetrical.
  2. Adjective.  (set theory) Of a relation ''R'' on a set ''S'', such that ''xRy'' if and only if ''yRx'' for all members ''x'' and ''y'' of ''S'' (that is, if the relation holds between any element and a second, it also holds between the second and the first).
  3. Adjective.  (cryptography) Using the same key (or keys that are trivially related) for both encryption and decryption.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.