polymorphic
Biology. (of a species) having more than one form or type as a result of discontinuous variation: Cabbage, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower are all forms of a single polymorphic species.
Computers. of or relating to a virus or other malignant code that has many forms, changing as it replicates: Polymorphic malware, which changes its identity up to 19 times a day to avoid detection while taking control of users' computers, has been successfully deactivated.
Crystallography. of or relating to a substance that crystallizes into two or more forms having different structure but identical chemistry:The pharmaceutical under study here, at five structurally characterized forms, is one of the most polymorphic drugs known.
Origin of polymorphic
1- Also polymorphous .
Words Nearby polymorphic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use polymorphic in a sentence
We now understand the process by which a polymorphic race maintains its polymorphism.
Evolution in Modern Thought | Ernst HaeckelIn a general study it is best to include the polymorphic forms under one name.
Trees of Indiana | Charles Clemon DeamThe variations have lead authors to divide this polymorphic species into several species and varieties.
Trees of Indiana | Charles Clemon DeamThe general rule which correlates this polymorphic change is that its direction changes at a given temperature.
This interesting form is polymorphic and mimics different species of Amauris.
Mimicry in Butterflies | Reginald Crundall Punnett
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