Heterogeneous

Adjective

Definition: Made up of different kinds, diverse, varied.

Synonyms: Diverse, Varied, Assorted, Mixed, Dissimilar

Antonyms: Homogeneous, Uniform, Alike, Similar

Examples:

The group of students in the class was heterogeneous, with students from different countries.
The company's workforce is heterogeneous, consisting of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Mnemonics:

Think of "hetero" meaning "different" and "geneous" sounding like "genes". Different genes or characteristics make something heterogeneous.

Origin:

The word "heterogeneous" derives from the Greek roots "hetero-" meaning "different" and "genos" meaning "kind" or "race".

Historical Usage:

The term has been used in English since the 17th century to describe a mixture or composition of different elements or kinds.

Idiom:

"Heterogeneous mixture"

Explanation:

refers to a combination of substances or entities that are not uniform throughout, where the components can be visibly distinguished.

Misconception:

Confusing "heterogeneous" with "homogeneous" or "homogenous".

Explanation:

"Heterogeneous" refers to a mix of different kinds, while "homogeneous" or "homogenous" refers to something that is uniform or of the same kind.