trimorphism

American  

[trahy-mawr-fiz-uhm] / traɪˈmɔr fɪz əm /

noun

1. Zoology. the occurrence of three forms distinct in structure, coloration, etc., among animals of the same species.

2. Botany. the occurrence of three different forms of flowers, leaves, etc., on the same plant or on distinct plants of the same species.

3. Crystallography. the property of some substances of crystallizing in three structurally distinct forms.

4. the property or condition of occurring in three distinct forms.

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trimorphism British  

/ traɪˈmɔːfɪzəm /

noun

1. biology the property exhibited by certain species of having or occurring in three different forms

2. the property of certain minerals of existing in three crystalline forms

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Other Word Forms

• trimorphic adjective
• trimorphous adjective

Etymology

Origin of trimorphism

1855–60; < Greek trímorph ( os ) of three forms ( tri-, -morph ) + -ism

Example Sentences

There are, also, cases of dimorphism and trimorphism, both with animals and plants.

From The Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection, 6th Edition by Darwin, Charles

It is comparatively rare in hermaphrodite flowers for self-fertilization to occur, and the various forms of dichogamy, dimorphism and trimorphism are fitted to prevent this.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various

It is remarkable as an example of trimorphism, the two sets of stamens and pistil being of different lengths in the same flower.

From See America First by Hiestand, Orville O.

Dimorphism and trimorphism in plants, papers on,  45.

From Charles Darwin: His Life in an Autobiographical Chapter, and in a Selected Series of His Published Letters by Darwin, Charles

If I can prove what I really believe, it is a grand case of trimorphism, with three different pollens and three stigmas.

From See America First by Hiestand, Orville O.