Heter
/ˈhɛtər/noun
An informal noun referring to a heterosexual person.
Did you know?Heter is a modern clipping of “heterosexual,” whose first element comes from Ancient Greek héteros, meaning “the other of two” or “different.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁etéros
“The other of two; different—an inherited root reconstructed by historical linguists.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἕτερος (héteros)
“The other of two; a different or opposing one.”
19th Century
English
hetero-
“A combining form meaning “other,” “different,” or, in sexuality, “opposite-sex.””
19th Century
English
heterosexual
“Attracted sexually to people of the opposite sex.”
20th–21st Century
English
heter
“An informal shortened form of “heterosexual person.””