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.

—Compiled from
Words from the Myths by Isaac Asimov;
Houghton Mifflin Company; Boston; 1961; pages 43-44.
exomorphic
In petrography, belonging to or having the characters of exomorphism.
exomorphism
1. A change in a rock mass caused by the intrusion of external igneous material; in the usual sense, contact metamorphism.

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.
fluviomorphology, river morphology
The study of a river channel and the network of tributaries within the river basin, in which an aerial view and the shape of a given cross section within a limited reach are examined at several points along the channel
gamomorphism
That stage of growth or development in an organism, in which the reproductive elements are generated and matured in preparation for propagating the species.
geomorph, geomorphs
1. Three-dimensional geometric surface or surfaces.
2. Earth shape or earth form.
geomorphic
1. Of or resembling the earth or its shape or surface configuration.
2. Pertaining to the form of the earth or the forms of its surface.
geomorphic process
The physical and chemical interactions between the earth's surface and the natural forces acting upon it to produce landforms.

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.

geomorphogeny
The study of the origins of land formations.
geomorphological
Characterized by the study of the surface configurations of the earth; especially, the nature and evolution of present landforms, their relationships to underlying structures, and the history of geologic activity as represented by such surface features.
geomorphologist
Someone who studies the surface configurations of the earth and the history of geologic activities as represented by such surface features.
geomorphology
1. The study of the classification, description, nature, origin, and development of present landforms and their relationships to underlying structures, and of the history of geologic changes as recorded by these surface features.
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.

geophilomorpha
Small elongated centipedes living in soil and under stones and having more than 30 pairs of legs.
geromorphism
1. A condition of appearing prematurely old or aged.
2. Having the appearance of age greater than one's real age.
geromorphism, geromorphic
1. Appearing prematurely old or the condition of appearing old while still young.
2. Appearing older than one really is; premature senility.
gerontomorphic
Of, pertaining to, or designating anatomical specialization most fully represented in the mature male of a species.

Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units dealing with "form, shape, appearance": eido-; figur-; form-; icono-; ideo-; imag-; -oid; typo-.