homogeneus

Forms

homogeneus (feminine homogenea, neuter homogeneum); first/second-declension adjective^[1] Medieval manuscripts also spell it omogeneus, homogenius and, rarely, homogenus.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek ὁμογενής (homogenḗs, “of the same race, family or kind”),^[1][3][4] a compound of ὁμός (homós, “same”) and γένος (génos, “offspring, family, kind”).^[2] Alexander Neckam explained the first part from the Greek for “one”, comparing the term for the three Persons being of one nature.^[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 says that things produced from matter of one kind are themselves homogeneae.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It was a term of natural philosophy and medicine, the counterpart of heterogeneus: of the same kind, uniform, simple,^[3][4] and of bodies, consisting of parts of one kind, as water and earth were said to be.^[4] As a neuter noun it meant what is alike or uniform.^[3] Albertus Magnus used it in his work on animals.^[3]

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

Timeline

• 2nd half of the 12th century – Urso of Salerno contrasts homogenea and heterogenea matter.^[3][2]
• 13th century – Albertus Magnus uses it in his work on animals.^[3][2]
• 1640s – English borrows it as homogeneous.^[5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of the same kind, alike, uniform, simple; homogeneous.^[3][4]
2. Consisting of parts of one kind.^[4]
3. (as a neuter noun) What is alike or uniform.^[3]

Related words

• heterogeneus
• English homogeneous

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f 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 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