morph-

¹ American  

1. variant of morpho- before a vowel.

   morpheme.

---

morph ² American  

[mawrf] / mɔrf /

noun

1. Linguistics.  a sequence of phonemes constituting a minimal unit of grammar or syntax, and, as such, a representation, member, or contextual variant of a morpheme in a specific environment.

2. Biology.  an individual of one particular form, as a worker ant, in a species that occurs in two or more forms.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to transform (an image) by computer.

verb (used without object)

1. to be transformed.

   morphing from a tough negotiator to Mr. Friendly.

-morph ³ American  

1. a combining form meaning “form, structure,” of the kind specified by the initial element.

   isomorph.

---

morph. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. morphological

2. morphology

---

morph ² British  

/ mɔːf /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo morphing

2. to transform or be transformed completely in appearance or character

   he morphed from nerd into pop icon

---

noun

1. a morphed image

morph ³ British  

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. biology any of the different forms of individual found in a polymorphic species

---

morph ⁴ British  

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. linguistics the phonological representation of a morpheme

---

-morph ⁵ British  

combining form

1. indicating shape, form, or structure of a specified kind

   ectomorph

---

morph Scientific  

/ môrf /

1. A phenotypically distinct form of an organism or species.

---

Usage

What does morph- mean? Morph- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “form, structure.” It is often occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology and linguistics.Morph- comes from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.”What are variants of morph-?Morph- is a variant of morpho-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Additional related combining forms include -morphic, -morphism, and -morphous. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on all four combining forms.

What does -morph mean? The combining form -morph is used like a suffix meaning “form, structure.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. Historically, -morph has been used in the pseudoscience of somatotype, which seeks to typify body shapes.The form -morph ultimately comes from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.” The equivalent combining form from Latin is -form, from -fōrmis, meaning “having the form of.”What are variants of -morph?The form -morph is related to the forms -morphous and -morphic, meaning "having the shape, form, or structure." Other related forms are -morphism, morph-, and morpho-. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on all five forms.

Other Word Forms

• -morphic combining form
• -morphy combining form
• morphic adjective

Etymology

Origin of morph¹

1945–50; back formation from morpheme, or independent use of -morph

Origin of -morph¹

< Greek -morphos; -morphous

Example Sentences

The problem with this strategy is that a person whose entire political history has been conspiratorial and often racist insanity is probably not a person who is going to morph into a normal member of Congress overnight.

From Slate

One U.S. official said the exact terms of Syria’s role were still up for discussion, labeling Monday’s announcement a political signal that will eventually morph into broader anti-ISIS assistance on intelligence and military operations.

From The Wall Street Journal

While his day-to-day living quarters may not be as lavish as one might expect, he is known to have a love of unique cars, including one that can morph into a submarine.

From BBC

“If she’s replaced, that’s the clearest signal our police department may morph into more of a Department of Public Safety—with a greater focus on community well-being than law enforcement.”

From The Wall Street Journal

One can surmise that this political shortsightedness also makes him bridle at believing that Trumpism is fascist, or that conservatism can morph into fascism.

From Salon

Related Words

• alter
• modify
• transform