het·ero·cyclic I. \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|sīklik, -lēk also -sik-\adjective Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary heter- + cyclic : relating to, characterized by, or being a ring composed of atoms of different elements < furan and quinoline are heterocyclic > — distinguished from isocyclic II. noun : a heterocyclic compound or a heterocylic ring system