Dated pre-noun adjectival meaning 'strange' or 'unusual'. It is rarely used in modern Japanese outside of literary or historical contexts; the more common word is 異様 (いよう) or 変 (へん).
縁は異なものinscrutable are the ways people are brought together; marriages are made in heaven
縁は異なもの味なものstrange and wonderful are the ties that bind people
Unusual customs remain in this village.
異なUsage94%
Standard kanji spelling for this pre-noun adjectival.
いなUsage6%
Kana spelling is sometimes used, especially in casual or modern writing.
Etymology
The word is derived from classical Japanese. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; it is a pre-noun adjectival form related to the concept of 'difference' or 'strangeness'.
