trimorphism

[ trahy-mawr-fiz-uh m ]
/ traɪˈmɔr fɪz əm /

noun

Zoology. the occurrence of three forms distinct in structure, coloration, etc., among animals of the same species.
Botany. the occurrence of three different forms of flowers, leaves, etc., on the same plant or on distinct plants of the same species.
Crystallography. the property of some substances of crystallizing in three structurally distinct forms.
the property or condition of occurring in three distinct forms.

Origin of trimorphism

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

OTHER WORDS FROM trimorphism

tri·mor·phic, tri·mor·phous, adjective

Words nearby trimorphism

trimming, trimodal, trimolecular, trimonthly, trimorph, trimorphism, trimotor, trimurti, trinacria, trinacrian, trinal

Example sentences from the Web for trimorphism

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

    On the Origin of Species |Charles Darwin

British Dictionary definitions for trimorphism

trimorphism
/ (traɪˈmɔːfɪzəm) /

noun

biology the property exhibited by certain species of having or occurring in three different forms
the property of certain minerals of existing in three crystalline forms

Derived forms of trimorphism

trimorphic or trimorphous, adjective

Word Origin for trimorphism

C19: from Greek trimorphos (from tri- + morphē form) + -ism