adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ he-t ə - ' r ē -sh ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: heter- + Greek oikia house ― more at VICINITY
Date: 1882
: passing through the different stages in the life cycle on alternate and often unrelated hosts < heteroecious aphids>
– het · er · oe · cism \ - ' r ē - ˌ si-z ə m \ noun