heteromorphic
[ het-er-uh-mawr-fik ]
/ ˌhɛt ər əˈmɔr fɪk /
adjective
Biology. dissimilar in shape, structure, or magnitude.
Entomology. undergoing complete metamorphosis; possessing varying forms.
Nearby words
Related forms
het·er·o·mor·phism, het·er·o·mor·phy, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for heteromorphic
I find that the mid-styled (by variation) P. sinensis is more fertile with own pollen, even, than a heteromorphic union!
More Letters of Charles Darwin Volume II|Charles DarwinHeteromorphic, het-e-ro-mor′fik, adj. deviating in form from a given type—also Heteromor′phous.
Organic development is not like crystallisation; it is heteromorphic crystallisation, so to speak.
Herbert Spencer|J. Arthur Thomson
British Dictionary definitions for heteromorphic
heteromorphic
heteromorphous
/ (ˌhɛtərəʊˈmɔːfɪk) /
adjective biology
differing from the normal form in size, shape, and function
(of pairs of homologous chromosomes) differing from each other in size or form
(esp of insects) having different forms at different stages of the life cycle
Derived Forms
heteromorphism or heteromorphy, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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