asynchronisms
|a-syn-chro-nis-ms|
/eɪˈsɪŋkrənɪzəmz/
(asynchronism)
not occurring at the same time
Etymology
'asynchronism' originates from Greek elements, specifically the prefix 'a-' meaning 'not' combined with 'synchronos', where 'syn-' meant 'together' and 'chronos' meant 'time'.
'asynchronism' developed via modern European formations (compare French 'asynchronisme') into English as 'asynchronism' in the 19th–20th century, built from the Greek-rooted compound rather than evolving from a single older English word.
Initially it literally signified 'not at the same time' (the negative of 'synchrony'); over time it has been extended to technical senses (computing, biology) while retaining the core idea of timing mismatch.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'asynchronism': the state or condition of not occurring at the same time; lack of synchrony or simultaneousness.
The study documented multiple asynchronisms between flowering times and the arrival of pollinators.
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Noun 2
in computing and engineering: occurrences or processes that run asynchronously rather than in lockstep — e.g., events, tasks, or signals that are not coordinated in time.
Network delays produced asynchronisms in message delivery that the system had to handle.
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Noun 3
in biology or developmental contexts: mismatches in timing between developmental events or processes (developmental asynchronisms).
Researchers linked certain disorders to developmental asynchronisms occurring in early childhood.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 10:22