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pleomorphism

or ple·o·mor·phy

[ plee-uh-mawr-fiz-uh m ]
/ ˌpli əˈmɔr fɪz əm /

noun Biology.

existence of an organism in two or more distinct forms during the life cycle; polymorphism.

Nearby words

  1. pleochroism,
  2. pleocytosis,
  3. pleomastia,
  4. pleomorphic,
  5. pleomorphic lipoma,
  6. pleon,
  7. pleonal,
  8. pleonasm,
  9. pleonastic,
  10. pleonosteosis

Origin of pleomorphism

First recorded in 1860–65; pleo- + -morph + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for pleomorphism

pleomorphism

pleomorphy (ˈpliːəˌmɔːfɪ)

/ (ˌpliːəˈmɔːˌfɪzəm) /

noun

the occurrence of more than one different form in the life cycle of a plant or animal
the occurrence of more than one different form of crystal of one chemical compound; polymorphism
Derived Formspleomorphic, adjective
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
Medicine definitions for pleomorphism

pleomorphism

[ plē′ə-môr′fĭz′əm ]

n.

polymorphism
The occurrence of two or more structural forms during a life cycle, especially of certain plants.
Related formsple′o•mor′phic (-fĭk) null adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.