Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

heteronymous

Adjective
ˌhɛtərˈɒnɪməs
Definition
Relating to something that is dependent on or subject to an external authority, often in the context of naming or classification.
Examples
  • In a heteronymous taxonomy, the names of species may vary greatly across different classification systems.
  • The authors of the texts had heteronymous influences, reflecting diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Meaning
In linguistics and philosophy, it refers to a relationship where terms or concepts are derived from different sources or have different origins, often leading to a lack of uniformity.
Synonyms
  • Dependent
  • External
  • Subordinate