pleomorphism

or ple·o·mor·phy

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

noun Biology.

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

Origin of pleomorphism

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

Words nearby pleomorphism

pleochroism, pleocytosis, pleomastia, pleomorphic, pleomorphic lipoma, pleomorphism, pleon, pleonasm, pleonosteosis, pleopod, pleoptics

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, adjective

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.