heterogeneus

Forms

heterogeneus (feminine heterogenea, neuter heterogeneum); first/second-declension adjective^[1] Medieval manuscripts also spell it heterogenus, etherogeneus, eterogeneus and heterogenius.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ἑτερογενής (heterogenḗs, “of a different origin or kind”),^[1][3][4] a compound of ἕτερος (héteros, “other, second”) and γένος (génos, “offspring, family, kind”).^[2] Alexander Neckam explained it the same way, glossing the first part as “different”.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a medieval word.^[2][3] The earliest dated use the MLW gives is in Urso of Salerno, of the second half of the 12th century,^[3][2] who calls every compound of the elements heterogeneum, made of parts of different kinds.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It belonged to the learned Latin of natural philosophy and medicine: bodies, substances and principles were heterogenea when their parts were of different natures, as opposed to homogenea.^[3][4] Writers on alchemy and minerals said that lead gathered like parts and separated unlike ones,^[3][4] and the scholastics, from Duns Scotus to Ockham and Wyclif, used it in metaphysics and logic.^[4] As a neuter noun it meant something composite or dissimilar.^[3]

English took it over as heterogeneous in the 17th century.^[5]

Timeline

• 2nd half of the 12th century – Urso of Salerno uses it of things compounded of the elements.^[3][2]
• c. 1225 – Arnold of Saxony says that lead separates the heterogenea parts of what it is mixed with.^[3][2]
• 1st half of the 14th century – Ockham uses it of animals whose parts differ in their accidents.^[4][2]
• 1620s – English borrows it as heterogeneous.^[5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of different kinds, made up of dissimilar parts, composite, varied; heterogeneous.^[3][4]
2. (as a neuter noun) Something composite or dissimilar.^[3]

Related words

• homogeneus
• English heterogeneous

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
4. ^ a b c d e f g Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com