also: け
noun, na-adjective, noun, used as a prefix
difference; different thing; other
Only with reading こと
Archaic noun/adjectival noun/prefix meaning 'different' or 'other'. Used in classical contexts or fixed expressions; modern Japanese prefers 違い or 別.
Archaic adjectival noun meaning 'unusual' or 'extraordinary'. The reading け is particularly rare; modern equivalents include 変わった or 異常な.
In classical texts, 異なり was used to mean 'different'.
In old language, 異なり was used to mean 'unusual'.
異常 is the standard modern term for 'unusual' or 'abnormal', while 異 (read け) is a rare archaic equivalent.
別 is the common modern word for 'other' or 'separate', while 異 is a more formal, archaic equivalent with the same meaning.
Standard kanji for the reading こと, used in both archaic and modern contexts.
Archaic reading け for the 'unusual' sense, found in old texts.
Alternate kanji; less common and may be confused with other readings.
The kanji 異 and 殊 both convey 'different' or 'unusual'. The reading こと is native Japanese, while け is an older, now-archaic reading. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.