anamorphosis

[ an-uh-mawr-fuh-sis, -mawr-foh-sis ]

noun

, plural an·a·mor·pho·ses [an-, uh, -, mawr, -f, uh, -seez, -mawr-, foh, -seez].

1. a drawing presenting a distorted image that appears in natural form under certain conditions, as when viewed at a raking angle or reflected from a curved mirror.
2. the method of producing such a drawing.
3. Zoology, Entomology. the gradual change in form from one type to another during the evolution of a group of organisms.
4. (in certain arthropods) metamorphosis in which body parts or segments are added to those already present.

anamorphosis

/ -mɔːˈfəʊsɪs; ˌænəˈmɔːfəsɪs /

noun

1. optics
   1. an image or drawing distorted in such a way that it becomes recognizable only when viewed in a specified manner or through a special device
   2. the process by which such images or drawings are produced
2. the evolution of one type of organism from another by a series of gradual changes

Word History and Origins

Origin of anamorphosis¹

1720–30; < Greek, equivalent to anamorphō- (variant stem of anamorphoûn to transform; ana-, morpho- ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of anamorphosis¹

C18: from Greek, from anamorphoun to transform, from morphē form, shape

Example Sentences

The curious fish-like object is simply the anamorphosis—the distorted projection—of a human skull.

From Project Gutenberg

It may indeed be a matter of very grave consideration whether true anamorphosis ever occurs in the whole animal kingdom.

From Project Gutenberg

On this disc is fixed the picture from which it is desired to make an anamorphosis.

From Project Gutenberg

The sun was setting, and its slanting rays caused the shadow to assume the appearance of an anamorphosis of ludicrous proportions.

From Project Gutenberg

The second kind of anamorphosis is produced by the distortion of the picture in the sense of one of its dimensions.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deformation
• deformity