Computer Dictionary of Information Technology

antisymmetric

A relation R is antisymmetric if,

 for all x and y,  x R y and y R x  =>  x == y.

I.e. no two different elements are mutually related.

Partial orders and total orders are antisymmetric. If R is also symmetric, i.e.

 x R y  =>  y R x

then

 x R y  =>  x == y

I.e. different elements are not related.