one of two or more words pronounced differently but spelt alike
the two English words spelt 'bow' are heteronyms
Compare homograph
Derived forms
heteronymous (ˌhɛtəˈrɒnɪməs)
adjective
heteronymously (ˌheterˈonymously)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Late Greek heteronumos, from Greek hetero- + onoma name
heteronym in American English
(ˈhɛtərəˌnɪm)
noun
a word with the same spelling as another or others, but with different meaning and pronunciation (Ex.: tear, a drop of water from the eye, and tear, to rip)