pleomorphism
or ple·o·mor·phy
[ plee-uh-mawr-fiz-uhm ]
/ ˌpli əˈmɔr fɪz əm /
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noun Biology.
existence of an organism in two or more distinct forms during the life cycle; polymorphism.
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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Words nearby pleomorphism
pleochroism, pleocytosis, pleomastia, pleomorphic, pleomorphic lipoma, pleomorphism, pleon, pleonasm, pleonastic, pleonosteosis, pleopod
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for pleomorphism
He had described this phenomenon in 1888 in a memoir entitled Pleomorphism of Microbes.
Life of Elie Metchnikoff, 1845-1916|Olga Metchnikoff
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 forms of pleomorphism
pleomorphic, adjectiveCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical 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.
Other words from pleomorphism
ple′o•mor′phic (-fĭk) null adj.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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