nonuniformities
|non-un-i-for-mi-ties|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnˌjuːnəˈfɔrmɪtiz/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnjuːnɪˈfɔːmɪtiz/
(nonuniformity)
lack of uniformity
Etymology
'nonuniformity' originates from English formation combining the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') with 'uniformity'. 'Uniformity' itself comes ultimately from Latin 'uniformitas', where 'uni-' meant 'one' and 'formis' meant 'form' or 'shape'.
'uniformitas' (Latin) passed into Old French and Middle English as 'uniformite/ uniformite' and became 'uniformity' in Modern English; the modern negative formation 'non-' + 'uniformity' produced 'nonuniformity' and its plural 'nonuniformities' in contemporary technical and general usage.
Initially the root referred to 'one form' or 'sameness' ('uniformitas'); the compound with 'non-' has long meant 'absence of that sameness' and has retained that meaning in modern English, with additional technical senses in scientific fields.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or condition of not being uniform; lack of sameness, regularity, or consistency.
The nonuniformities in the paint finish were obvious under strong light.
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Noun 2
in technical or scientific contexts, localized differences (e.g., in density, temperature, thickness) across a material, field, or system.
Engineers must account for nonuniformities in material properties when designing the component.
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Last updated: 2025/12/10 15:50