non‑sequential
non‑sequential — adjective
1. describing items, events, or data that are arranged or accessed without followin
describing items, events, or data that are arranged or accessed without following a fixed step-by-step order from first to last.
Trang told the class the novel is non‑sequential, with chapters jumping between years.
describes a text whose chapters skip in time
Caleb prefers non‑sequential reading and often opens a textbook in the middle.
modifies an activity that skips fixed order
The audit found the cheques were issued in a non‑sequential pattern.
Memory access in this database is non‑sequential, so engineers can jump to any record.
Lucía designed the workshop in a non‑sequential way so guests could pick any station.
- non-linear
broader; covers any non-straight progression, not just order
- random-access
technical; specifically about being able to reach any item directly
- out-of-order
informal; often suggests a mistake rather than a chosen design
- sequential
following items one after another in a fixed order
- consecutive
following each other without gaps
用法筆記
Frequently modifies abstract nouns about order or access (reading, access, pattern, narrative). Often paired with explanations of what order is broken; readers expect a follow-up clause.