heteromorphic

[ het-er-uh-mawr-fik ]
/ ˌhɛt ər əˈmɔr fɪk /

adjective

Biology. dissimilar in shape, structure, or magnitude.
Entomology. undergoing complete metamorphosis; possessing varying forms.

Origin of heteromorphic

First recorded in 1860–65; hetero- + -morphic

OTHER WORDS FROM heteromorphic

het·er·o·mor·phism, het·er·o·mor·phy, noun

Example sentences from the Web for heteromorphic

British Dictionary definitions for heteromorphic

heteromorphic

heteromorphous

/ (ˌhɛtərəʊˈmɔːfɪk) /

adjective biology

differing from the normal form in size, shape, and function
(of pairs of homologous chromosomes) differing from each other in size or form
(esp of insects) having different forms at different stages of the life cycle

Derived forms of heteromorphic

heteromorphism or heteromorphy, noun