morpho

[ mawr-foh ]

/ ˈmɔr foʊ /

Save This Word!

noun, plural mor·phos.

any of various large, tropical American butterflies of the genus Morpho, having brilliant blue, iridescent wings with an underside of brown or gray and eyelike spots.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also called morpho butterfly.

Origin of morpho

First recorded in 1850–55; from New Latin Morphō, genus name, from Greek Morphṓ “the Shapely, the Beautiful” (an epithet of Aphrodite in Sparta), akin to morphḗ “form, shape, figure, beauty”

Words nearby morpho

morphic resonance, morphine, morphing, morphinism, -morphism, morpho, morphogenesis, morphol., morpholine, morpholino, morphologic construction

Other definitions for morpho (2 of 2)

morpho-

a combining form meaning “form, structure,” used in the formation of compound words: morphology.

Also especially before a vowel, morph-.

Compare -morph, -morphic, -morphism, -morphous.

Origin of morpho-

<Greek, combining form of morphḗ

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use morpho in a sentence

The iconic morpho blue butterfly doesn’t have a flake of blue pigment.
Tiny crystals give a plain fish twinkling, colorful dots under light|Susan Milius|April 6, 2021|Science News
One year a beautiful blue morpho butterfly landed on my sweater, and I carried it with me through the exhibit for several long minutes.
For parents, spring brings so much more this year — renewal, beauty and, yes, anxiety|Maggie Smith|April 2, 2021|Washington Post
The structural color of the morpho wings is angle dependent, though—it shimmers and changes as the butterfly flutters.
Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Environmentalism - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|October 7, 2020|Nautilus
Take, for example, the opalescent wings of a morpho butterfly.
Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Environmentalism - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|October 7, 2020|Nautilus

Helicons came, and once a morpho, the latter a great rarity away from the interior of the woods.
The Sea and the Jungle|H. M. Tomlinson
It was in the woods at the Caracoles that I first saw the great morpho butterfly at home.
The Sea and the Jungle|H. M. Tomlinson
In this upper story was an image of Aphrodite Morpho fettered—a silly thing he thought it to fetter a cedar-wood doll.
The Conflict of Religions in the Early Roman Empire|T. R. Glover
The largest specimens of Morpho Cisseis measure seven inches and a half in expanse.
Oregon and Eldorado|Thomas Bulfinch
In the broad alleys of the forest, several species of Morpho were common.
Oregon and Eldorado|Thomas Bulfinch

British Dictionary definitions for morpho

morpho-

before a vowel morph-

combining form

indicating form or structuremorphology

morphememorphophonemics

Word Origin for morpho-

from Greek morphē form, shape

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012