morph

¹ 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.

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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- ² American  

1. variant of morpho- before a vowel.

   morpheme.

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-morph ³ American  

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

   isomorph.

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morph ¹ British  

/ mɔːf /

noun

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

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morph ² British  

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. linguistics the phonological representation of a morpheme

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morph ³ 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

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noun

1. a morphed image

morph. ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. morphological

2. morphology

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-morph ⁵ British  

combining form

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

   ectomorph

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morph Scientific  

/ môrf /

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

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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 -morph³

< Greek -morphos; -morphous

Example Sentences

Citi strategist Drew Pettit is monitoring gauges like foreign exchange implied volatility to see whether the concerns about a weaker dollar morph into signs that the shift is more than just diversification.

From Barron's

Then, one of the lights morphed into the looming shape of a helicopter, careening into view and growing larger.

From The Wall Street Journal

Without those adjustments, he noted, portfolios can gradually morph into something investors never consciously chose.

From Barron's

There’s an uncomfortable pause, then her surprise morphs into anger.

From Literature

Beside it is a TV monitor on which their faces morph into one another, without audio.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alter
• modify
• transform