Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
homogeny / homogeneity
English answer:
biological / generic term
English term
homogeny or homogeneity
I have been told that my use of homogeneity is wrong, yet I cannot see why; the 'correct' alternative is supposed to be homogeny.
I believe that homogeny is used more in biology, but I need a better argument as the first use of each (according to the deinitions) is apparently the same/similar.
Can anyone tell me why homogeneity is correct or why homogeny is wrong?
5 +4 | "Homogeny" is used in biology; "homogeneous' is more generic. |
Fuad Yahya
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5 +10 | homogeneity |
Tony M
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4 +2 | both are correct |
Chiara De Rosso
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Dec 19, 2005 01:57: Fuad Yahya changed "Field" from "Other" to "Art/Literary"
Responses
"Homogeny" is used in biology; "homogeneous' is more generic.
"Homogeneity" is defined more generically as "the state or quality of being homogeneous," and "homogeneous" is in turn defined as "of the same or similar nature or kind, or uniform in structure or composition throughout."
The expression "linguistic homogeneity" is commonly used. Take a look at these two citations:
http://www.linguistlist.org/~ask-ling/archive-1997.10/msg012...
"I am currently an undergraduate linguistics major and my highest
interest in linguistics right now is the threat to "linguistic
heterogeneity" (Trudgill, Peter. Sociolinguistics. London: Penguin
Books 1974. pp.187). He also says, "that the disappearance of
languages from the world could greatly speed up the process of
cultural homogenization," (177)."
http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ELI/tavoultz.html
"This study investigates whether there is a systematic relationship between the language attitudes of two groups of third-generation adolescents, descendants of a Greek linguistic minority known as Pontii, toward their mother tongue Pontiaca, a dialect of ancient Greek, and : a) their village of residence , in terms of (relative) linguistic homogeneity, b) intermarriage, that is, their parentage."
Your usage seems quite appropriate to me. In the first instance that you mentioned, depending on what you meant, "homogenization" may be appropriate, IF you are referring to a process, not a state. Otherwise, "homogeneity" is alright.
Fuad
both are correct
good luck!
... the Long Run. The Problem of Measurement: An Analysis of Money Demand
Price Homogeinity in the Long Run. Panagiotis T. Konstantinou. ...
netec.mcc.ac.uk/WoPEc/data/Papers/ euieuiwpseco2002-14.html
homogeny. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English ... - [ omogeny. SYLLABICATION: ho·mog·e·ny. ...
www.bartleby.com/61/68/H0256800.html - 19k - Copia cache - Pagine simili
homogeneity
homogeny is listed as "only Early 17th century"(I don't think they had films in those days!) :-)
It reserves homogeny nowadays for use only in the second, biological meaning
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ntouzet (X)
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Thanks, Nadine!
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Erika P (X)
39 mins
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Thanks, Erika!
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jcollins (X)
49 mins
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Thanks, JC!
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DGK T-I
2 hrs
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Thanks, Dr. Giuli!
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Knara Law
: Well put, clear and concise!
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Why thanks a lot, Knara :-)
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Sarah Ponting
9 hrs
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Thanks, Sarah!
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Empty Whiskey Glass
13 hrs
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Thanks, Svetozar!
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Bin Zhang
14 hrs
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Thanks, Bin Zhang!
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walzl
16 hrs
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Thanks, Walzl!
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Christopher Crockett
: "Homogeny" is totally unknown to me;and, presumably,all others who are biologically challenged.The OED says that this word is not only obsolete(except in biology),but is *not* synonymous with "homogeneity"in its biological usage.That's Good enough for me.
17 hrs
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Thanks, Chris, for your illuminating addition!
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