THE FIRST WORD

allochthonous

PRONUNCIATION:

(uh-LOK-thuh-nuhs) 

MEANING:

adjective: Originating in a region other than where it is found.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek from allos (other) + chthon (earth, land). Ultimately from the Indo-European root dhghem- (earth), which also sprouted human, homicide, humble, homage, chamomile, exhume,inhume, chthonic, disinter, chameleonic, and Persian zamindar (landholder). Earliest documented use: 1888.

USAGE:

"Like many other countries with a colonial legacy, Rwanda's constitutions before 1994 were rather allochthonous. The existing constitutions were based on foreign models which never took into account the peculiarities of the Rwandan nation."
Michael Ngabo; Alleged Lack of Political Space; The New Times (Rwanda); Apr 6, 2011.