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.
cyesomorph
The figure of a pregnant woman.
cystomorphous
1. Resembling a cyst or bladder.
2. A tumor resembling a cyst, with fluid, granular, or pulpy contents, but without a capsule.
2. A tumor resembling a cyst, with fluid, granular, or pulpy contents, but without a capsule.
cytomorphology
1. The study of the various structures of cells, and the shapes that exist in them.
2. The science of the shapes of cells.
cytomorphosis
1. The series of changes that a cell undergoes during the various stages of its existence.
2. The various changes that occur within a cell during the entire course of its life cycle.
2. The various changes that occur within a cell during the entire course of its life cycle.
delomorphous, delomorphic
1. With definite form; applied to oxyntic cells of the gastric glands.
2. Of definite form and shape; a term applied in the past to the parietal cells of the gastric glands which secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor or a protein produced in the stomach that promotes the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.
3. Having a conspicuous shape.
2. Of definite form and shape; a term applied in the past to the parietal cells of the gastric glands which secrete hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor or a protein produced in the stomach that promotes the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine.
3. Having a conspicuous shape.
dimorphic
A reference to the existence among animals of the same species of two distinct forms that differ in one or more characteristics; such as, coloration, size, or shape or the occurrence of two distinct forms of the same parts in one plant, as in the juvenile and adult leaves of ivy.
dimorphism
dimorphism, dimorphous
1. In biology, the existence among animals of the same species of two distinct forms that differ in one or more characteristics; such as, coloration, size, or shape.
2. In botany, the occurrence of two distinct forms of the same parts in one plant, as in the juvenile and adult leaves of ivy.
3. In chemistry, the property of certain substances that enables them to exist in two distinct crystalline forms while having the same chemical composition.
2. In botany, the occurrence of two distinct forms of the same parts in one plant, as in the juvenile and adult leaves of ivy.
3. In chemistry, the property of certain substances that enables them to exist in two distinct crystalline forms while having the same chemical composition.
dimorphobiotic
1. The existence of distinct genetically determined forms of the same species; such as, distinct male and female forms or distinct young and mature forms.
2. Characterized by a regular alternation of parasitic and nonparasitic phases, as in the life cycle of gordian (long slender worms found in water whose larva live as parasites on arthropods) or horsehair worms (nematode worms that live as parasites in the digestive tracts of domestic animals).
2. Characterized by a regular alternation of parasitic and nonparasitic phases, as in the life cycle of gordian (long slender worms found in water whose larva live as parasites on arthropods) or horsehair worms (nematode worms that live as parasites in the digestive tracts of domestic animals).
dimorphous
1. Occurring or existing in two different forms.
2. Pertaining to an organism or substance that exists in two distinct forms.
2. Pertaining to an organism or substance that exists in two distinct forms.
dolichomorphic
Referring to a body type which is long and slender in form or build.
dysmorphia (s), dysmorphias (pl)
An abnormality of shape or size, usually of developmental origin.
dysmorphism
1. Abnormality of shape or form.
2. A branch of clinical genetics concerned with the diagnosis and interpretation of patterns of the three types of structural defects: malformation, disruption, and deformation.
2. A branch of clinical genetics concerned with the diagnosis and interpretation of patterns of the three types of structural defects: malformation, disruption, and deformation.
dysmorphology
1. A branch of clinical genetics concerned with the study of structural defects; especially, congenital malformations.
2. The study of malformations.
2. The study of malformations.
dysmorphomania
1. The delusional conviction that one is physically deformed or otherwise abnormal.
2. An abnormal dread of deformity, particularly in others.
2. An abnormal dread of deformity, particularly in others.
