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synchronic/diachronic

 

FOAMY CUSTARD's definition
http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/foamycustard/fc026.htm

the origin of the words are from the Greek word for time ( khronos )
Diachronic is a convenient way of referring to something that changes over time.
Synchronic refers to 'similar' instances existing at the same time.

 

CRAIG STROUPE's definition
http://www.d.umn.edu/~cstroupe/ideas/diachronic.html

Diachronic
Process
"What Comes After What"
Cause and Effect Order
Meaning from Plot, Sequence
Anticipation and Satisfaction
Like a road you're traveling down

Synchronic
Structure
What Goes With What"
Associative Order (non-sequential)
Meaning from Proximity, Contrast and Similarity
Connections and Patterns
Like a pool of people and objects you climb into

....it might be better to think of synchronic and diachronic as names for segments of a spectrum rather than the labels on the only two pigeonholes (or wastebaskets, if you prefer)...

from the Limited Capacity of the Synchronic and Diachronic Binary Opposition (Full text at http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/A-C/biblst/DJACcurrres/Postmodern1/Synchronic.html) • Author, J. Cheryl Exum,BA, MA, MPhil., PhD, Co-Chair of the Bible and Cultural Studies Section of the Society of Biblical Literature, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series. http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/A-C/biblst/staff/ce.htm