Something that doesn't follow normal rules or patterns, especially a word that breaks the usual grammar rules of its language.
From Greek hetero- (different) and -klite from klinen (to bend/decline). The term originally described Greek and Latin nouns with irregular declensions that didn't fit standard patterns.
Ancient grammarians discovered that some Latin words refused to follow the declension rules they'd carefully mapped out—these 'rule-breakers' became the template for understanding that languages naturally have exceptions, which is why we still encounter irregular verbs today.
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