heterarchy

noun

linguistics a formal structure, usually represented by a diagram of connected nodes, without any single permanent uppermost nodeCompare hierarchy (def. 5), tree (def. 6)

Word Origin for heterarchy

from Greek heteros other, different + archē sovereignty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012