Othernesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of being distinctly different from others or existing in contrast to the familiar; the quality of existing as an alternative to the norm; multiple instances or forms of identity or experience that highlight divergence from the mainstream
2. The condition of being perceived as separate or distinct from the majority or common group; features that emphasize divergence and plurality in identity or existence; varieties or manifestations of uniqueness that celebrate difference
3. The quality of experiencing and expressing difference in relation to others; various ways in which distinct identities can represent alternatives to convention; multiple dimensions of difference that underpin social and cultural dynamics

Etymology: "Othernesses" is the plural of "otherness," which is simply "other" with the suffix "-ness" attached. The suffix turns an adjective into a noun for a state or quality, so "otherness" names the condition of being other. Both parts go back to the same ancient root: "other" descends from Proto-Germanic "anþerazi," which came from the older Indo-European root meaning "the second of two," and it appears as "ōþer" in Old English. The "-ness" ending traces back to Old English "-nes," a suffix used for forming abstract nouns from adjectives, and it is one of the most productive suffixes in English. The plural form is less common than the singular, since "otherness" is usually treated as an uncountable quality. Using the plural lets the word refer to several distinct states or kinds of being different at once, which is how the term is used when discussing multiple forms of identity or experience that depart from the mainstream.