heteromorphic

[het-er-uh-mawr-fik]

adjective

1. Biology.,  dissimilar in shape, structure, or magnitude.

2. Entomology.,  undergoing complete metamorphosis; possessing varying forms.

heteromorphic

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. differing from the normal form in size, shape, and function

2. (of pairs of homologous chromosomes) differing from each other in size or form

3. (esp of insects) having different forms at different stages of the life cycle

Other Word Forms

• heteromorphism noun
• heteromorphy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heteromorphic¹

First recorded in 1860–65; hetero- + -morphic

Example Sentences

Matthews and colleagues’ genome will provide researchers with the opportunity to examine how the homomorphic sex chromosomes of A. aegypti are maintained, rather than evolving into heteromorphic chromosomes that are broadly different between the sexes — a better-understood phenomenon that is exemplified by the human X and Y chromosomes.

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Organic development is not like crystallisation; it is heteromorphic crystallisation, so to speak.

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It is open to question, however, how far the evidence from such “heteromorphic regeneration” can be regarded as conclusive on the points of homology.

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Heteromorphic, het-e-ro-mor′fik, adj. deviating in form from a given type—also Heteromor′phous.—ns.

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The occurrence of heteromorphic unions renders it necessary to keep in mind that plants hermaphrodite as to structure are by no means necessarily so as to function.

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Related Words

• aberrant 
• anomalous 
• atypical 
• bizarre 
• exceptional 
• extraordinary 
• irregular 
• odd 
• peculiar 
• strange 
• uncommon 
• unexpected 
• unnatural 
• unusual 
• weird