morpho-, morph-, -morphous, -morphically, -morphia, -morphosis, -morphously, -morphy, -morphic, -morphism +
(Greek: shape, form, figure, appearance)
Origins of morpho- words
The Roman god of sleep is Somnus; so, when we are sleepy, we are "somnolent". Sleep walking is "somnambulism" which in Latin means exactly the same thing; that is, "sleepwalking".
The son of Somnus is Morpheus, the god of dreams, indicating that sleep gives birth to dreams. Morpheus goes back through Latin to the Greek word for "form" or "shape" because dreams are forms and shapes developed in the mind while sleeping.
Metamorphism is a process of change in the physical structure of rock as a result of long-term heat and pressure, especially a change that increases the rock's hardness and crystalline structure
2. In petrography, that variety of contact-metamorphism which is developed, in the surrounding walls, by an intruded mass of eruptive rock.2. Earth shape or earth form.
2. Pertaining to the form of the earth or the forms of its surface.
The processes are determined by such natural environmental variables as geology, climate, vegetation and baselevel, to say nothing of human interference. The nature of the process and the rate at which it operates will be influenced by a change in any of these variables.
2. That branch of geology that studies the characteristics, processes that shape them, and configurations and evolutions of rocks and land forms.
Geomorphologists seek to understand landform history and dynamics, and predict future changes through a combination of field observations, physical experiments, and numerical modeling.
The discipline is practiced within geology, geography, archaeology, and civil and environmental engineering. Early studies in geomorphology are the foundations for pedology, one of two main branches of soil science.
Geomorphology is the science of landforms. It is the science that provides us with a closer look at the earth's surface and the processes that have formed them.
Although geomorphology is concerned with landforms that currently exist, past landforms and events must be examined in order to fully understand how they came about.
Although the term geomorphology is a relatively new term (1880's), the examination of the forces of nature that have impacted the earth's surface extends back into the days of early Greek and Roman philosophers; such as, Aristotle and Seneca.
Their writings included ideas on stream erosion, earthquakes, and other deformations. Though these early philosophers speculated on the ideas of landscape evolution, these processes and thoughts were not fully examined until just before the 1800's.
2. Having the appearance of age greater than one's real age.
2. Appearing older than one really is; premature senility.

