HETEROGENOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does heterogenous mean? 

• HETEROGENOUS (adjective)
  The adjective HETEROGENOUS has 2 senses:

1. consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature

2. originating outside the body

  Familiarity information: HETEROGENOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HETEROGENOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature

Synonyms:

heterogeneous; heterogenous

Context example:

the population of the United States is vast and heterogeneous

Similar:

assorted; miscellaneous; mixed; motley; sundry (consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds)

disparate (including markedly dissimilar elements)

inhomogeneous; nonuniform (not homogeneous)

Also:

diversified (having variety of character or form or components; or having increased variety)

different (unlike in nature or quality or form or degree)

varied (characterized by variety)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Originating outside the body

Synonyms:

heterogeneous; heterogenous

Antonym:

autogenous (originating within the body)

 Context examples 

A rare, genetically heterogenous syndrome, characterized by cryptophthalmos, craniofacial abnormalities, urogenital abnormalities, and syndactyly.

(Cryptophthalmos Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Expression of high levels of ALDH is an indicator of the biological activity in heterogenous early stage stem cells.

(Autologous Pluripotent ALDHbr Stem Cells ALD-451, NCI Thesaurus)

Chromogranin Genes encode Chromogranins, widespread heterogenous acidic soluble glycopropolypeptide constituents of neuroendocrine and chromaffin cell secretory granules that elicit an effect themselves or serve as precursors to many biologically active peptides.

(Chromogranin Gene, NCI Thesaurus)

Also called heterogenous.

(Heterogenic, NCI Dictionary)

The chromogranin family is heterogenous, consisting of propeptides such as chromogranin-A, chromogranin-B and secretogranin II, which can either elicit an effect themselves, or serve as precursors to a large number of peptides, which are biologically more active.

(Chromogranin, NCI Thesaurus)