pleomorphism

American  

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

Or pleomorphy

noun

Biology.

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

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pleomorphism British  

/ ˈpliːəˌmɔːfɪ, ˌpliːəˈmɔːˌfɪzəm /

noun

1. the occurrence of more than one different form in the life cycle of a plant or animal

2. the occurrence of more than one different form of crystal of one chemical compound; polymorphism

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Other Word Forms

• pleomorphic adjective

Etymology

Origin of pleomorphism

First recorded in 1860–65; pleo- + -morph + -ism

Example Sentences

This variation in morphology is known as "pleomorphism."

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

Zopf in 1885 proposed a scheme based on the acceptance of extreme views of pleomorphism; his system, however, was extraordinarily impracticable and was recognized by him as provisional only.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various

Some of the factors influencing pleomorphism are: 1.

From The Elements of Bacteriological Technique A Laboratory Guide for Medical, Dental, and Technical Students. Second Edition Rewritten and Enlarged. by Eyre, J. W. H. (John William Henry)

The question, What is an individual? has given rise to much difficulty, and around it many of the speculations regarding pleomorphism have centred without useful result.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various