morph

¹

[mawrf]

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-

²

1. variant of morpho- before a vowel.

   morpheme.

-morph

³

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

   isomorph.

morph

¹

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. linguistics the phonological representation of a morpheme

morph

²

/ mɔːf /

noun

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

morph

³

/ 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

⁴

combining form

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

   ectomorph

morph.

⁵

abbreviation

1. morphological

2. morphology

morph

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of morph¹

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

Origin of morph²

< Greek -morphos; -morphous

Word History and Origins

Origin of morph¹

C20: shortened form of _morpheme

Origin of morph²

C20: from Greek morphē shape

Origin of morph³

from Greek -morphos, from morphē shape

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.

Read more on Slate

I watch the rope of water morph into the shape of a sword and freeze into ice by the time Tano’s fingers close around the hilt.

Read more on Literature

The ripples made from the breach morph into waves that slash against the ship, nearly tipping us over.

Read more on Literature

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.

Read more on 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.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• alter 
• modify 
• transform 

When To Use

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.

When To Use

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.