-morphous

1. a combining form with the meaning “having the shape, form, or structure” of the kind or number specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words:

   polymorphous.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -morphous¹

Representing Greek -morphos, adj. derivative of morphḗ form; -ous

Words That Use -morphous

What does -morphous mean?

The combining form –morphous is used like a suffix meaning “having the shape, form, or structure.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

The form –morphous comes from Greek –morphos, meaning “possessing a form,” ultimately from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.”

What are variants of –morphous?

In some terms, the form –morphous becomes –morphic, as in xenomorphic. Additional related combining forms include morph–, morpho–, and –morphism. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on all four combining forms.

Examples of -morphous

One example of a scientific term that features the form –morphous is rhizomorphous, “rootlike in form.”

The combining form rhizo– means “root,” from Greek rhíza. The form –morphous means “having the form [of],” as we have seen. Rhizomorphous literally translates to “having the shape of a root.”

What are some words that use the combining form –morphous?

• dimorphous (using the equivalent form of –morphous in Greek)
• gynecomorphous (using the equivalent form of –morphous in Greek)
• monomorphous
• polymorphous (using the equivalent form of –morphous in Greek)
• pseudomorphous
• trimorphous

What are some other forms that –morphous may be commonly confused with?

• -mony
• -most
• -mycin

Break it down!

The combining form mono– means “single” or “one.” Keeping this in mind, what does monomorphous mean?