heter-, hetero-
(Greek: different, other, another, unlike; irregular, abnormal)
This Greek element forms many scientific and other terms, often in opposition to homo-. Sometimes it is also the antonym of auto-, homoeo-, iso-, ortho-, and syn-.
heteracanth (adjective) (not comparable)
Regarding fish having the spines of the dorsal and anal fins alternately broader on one side than on the other: Dick found some information regarding hateracanth fish with an unsymmetrical layout of spines on their dossal and anal fins which were broader on one side than on the other side.
heteracanthous (adjective) (not comparable)
In ichthyology, having the spines of the dorsal fin asymmetrical: Some fish have an unpaired median fin on their backs that are heteracanthous in that the spines are alternately broader on one side than the other.
The ripening of the stamens and pistils of a flower at different times, including proterandry and proterogyny; proterogyny: Heteracmy pertains to flowers in that cross-fertilization is obtained by the pistils maturing before the stamens.
Heteracmy is the opposite of synacmy.
Conjoint twins with a single fetus: A heteradelphus refers to unequally conjoined twins in which the smaller incomplete parasite is attached to the larger, more nearly normal autosite (that member of abnormal, unequal conjoined twins that is able to live independently and nourish the other member [parasite] of the pair).
heteradenic (adjective), more heteradenic, most heteradenic
A reference to a glandular structure, but occurring in a part normally devoid of glands: In her seminar, Amanda learned that glands were abnormally located in heradnic tissues, and not always in the areas where they normally existed.
Unequal conjoined twins: Heteralius refers to the condition of the parasite that appears as little more than an excrescence on the autosite, and means that member of abnormal, unequal conjoined twins is able to live independently and nourish the other member [parasite] of the pair.
heterandrous (adjective), more heterandrous, most heterandrous
In botany, having stamens or anthers of different forms or various sizes: In her book on botany, Rose read that heterandrous plants had two types of stamens differing in length, shape or other characteristic.
Rule of a government by an alien or aliens; a government in which aliens rule: In the story, the nation was governed by a heterarchy, an extraterritorial power.
heteratomic (adjective) (not comparable)
In organic chemistry, consisting of atoms of different kinds; heteroatomic: Heteratomic atoms are those that are neither carbon nor hydrogen, or an atom that belongs to a little molecule cofactor in the structure of proteins.
In biology and botany, the asymmetrical and unequal growth of cells of plants or animals: Mr. Flower read in his botany book that heterauxesis was the differential growth of body parts resulting in a change of shape or proportion with increase in size.
heterecious (adjective) (not comparable)
Pertaining to the necessity of having more than one host in various stages of development: Heterecious parasites pass through divers phases of life cycle in different animals.
The occurrence, in a parasite, of two cycles of development passed in two different hosts: The students in Mr. Big's class read about heterecism which was the phenomenon of the maturing of parasites going through two phases of of growth including two unlike hosts.
Variations in the degrees of responses to a cutaneous or skin stimulus from one point to another on the body: Dr. Anderson, the dermatologist, determined the degree of heteresthesia for James by touching areas of his back and the palms of his hands.
A biography written by another person as opposed to an autobiography: Jeff Little wrote a heterobiography about his father's life, that meant the Mr. Little didn't write it himself. .
heterocarpous (adjective), more heterocarpous, most heterocarpous
In botany, pertaining to the production of different kinds of fruit on one plant: Mr. Bush wanted to have his trees bear more than just one kind of fruit, so he first read about heterocarpous production in his book on botany.