heterology

2 definitions found

heterology - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Heterology \Het`er*ol"o*gy\, n. [Hetero- + -logy.]
     1. (Biol.) The absence of correspondence, or relation, in
        type of structure; lack of analogy between parts, owing to
        their being composed of different elements, or of like
        elements in different proportions; variation in structure
        from the normal form; -- opposed to homology.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Chem.) The connection or relation of bodies which have
        partial identity of composition, but different
        characteristics and properties; the relation existing
        between derivatives of the same substance, or of the
        analogous members of different series; as, ethane, ethyl
        alcohol, acetic aldehyde, and acetic acid are in
        heterology with each other, though each in at the same
        time a member of a distinct homologous series. Cf.
        Homology.
        [1913 Webster]

heterology - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  heterology
      n 1: (biology) the lack of correspondence of apparently similar
           body parts