heteronomous

adjective

het·​er·​on·​o·​mous ˌhe-tə-ˈrä-nə-məs How to pronounce heteronomous (audio)
: subject to external controls and impositions

Examples of heteronomous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Torah mi’Sinai is a form of heteronomous law, a structure of law that operates independent of any individual or group. Rabbi Avi Weiss, sun-sentinel.com, 14 June 2021 At least for the next decade or three, autonomous cars will have to contend with the many heteronomous cars already on American roads, including those driven by a very common form of idiot who hooks a left in front of oncoming traffic. Aaron Robinson, Car and Driver, 28 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heteronomous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heteronomous was circa 1871

Dictionary Entries Near heteronomous

Cite this Entry

“Heteronomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heteronomous. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

heteronomous

adjective
het·​er·​on·​o·​mous ˌhet-ə-ˈrän-ə-məs How to pronounce heteronomous (audio)
: specialized along different lines of growth or under different controlling forces
in most segmented animals … the segmentation is heteronomousLibbie H. Hyman
heteronomously adverb
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