Heterogeneous
/ˌhɛtərəˈdʒiːniəs/noun
Made up of parts or elements that are different from each other.
Did you know?Its Greek root ἕτερος (heteros) meant “other” or “different,” while -γενής (genēs) comes from the same family as “gene,” so the word literally describes something made of “other kinds.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
heterogenḗs (ἑτερογενής)
“of different kinds; composed of unlike elements”
Late Latin
Latin
heterogeneus
“of different kinds”
16th Century
French
hétérogène
“heterogeneous; composed of different elements”
17th Century
English
heterogeneous
“made up of unlike parts or elements”
Modern English
English
heterogeneous
“consisting of diverse or varied components”