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.
polymorphic system
In computer technology, referring to a computer system in which major parts or units are held in a common pool, assigned to executing programs based on need, and returned to the pool when they are no longer needed.
polymorphism
1. The assumption of various distinct forms by a single organism or species.
2. In cytomorphology, variation in the size and shape of cells or nuclei.
3. In chemistry, crystallization of a compound in at least two distinct forms.
4. In biology, the occurrence of different forms, stages, or types in individual organisms or in organisms of the same species, independent of gender variations.
5. In zoology, the characteristics of assuming or passing through several forms, as an animal exhibiting seasonal changes in coloration.
6. In mineralogy, the occurrence in a mineral of two or more distinct crystal forms of identical chemical composition.
2. In cytomorphology, variation in the size and shape of cells or nuclei.
3. In chemistry, crystallization of a compound in at least two distinct forms.
4. In biology, the occurrence of different forms, stages, or types in individual organisms or in organisms of the same species, independent of gender variations.
5. In zoology, the characteristics of assuming or passing through several forms, as an animal exhibiting seasonal changes in coloration.
6. In mineralogy, the occurrence in a mineral of two or more distinct crystal forms of identical chemical composition.
promorphologist
Someone who considers organisms and their parts geometrically.
promorphology
1. The branch of morphology that studies the forms of organisms from a mathematical point of view.
2. In biology, the morphology of organic forms with reference to mathematical figures or to a few fundamental types of structure.
2. In biology, the morphology of organic forms with reference to mathematical figures or to a few fundamental types of structure.
The mathematical conception or geometrical treatment of organic forms.
pseudomorph
1. A false, deceptive, or irregular form or shape.
2. A mineral that has the crystalline form of another mineral rather than the form normally characteristic of its own composition.
2. A mineral that has the crystalline form of another mineral rather than the form normally characteristic of its own composition.
pseudomorphic
1. A reference to an altered mineral whose crystal form has the outward appearance of another mineral species.
2. A descriptive term referring to a deceptive or an irregular form.
2. A descriptive term referring to a deceptive or an irregular form.
pseudomorphism
1. An irregular or unclassifiable form.
pseudomorphose
To change by pseudomorphism.
pseudomorphosis
1. The state of having a form, usually crystalline, different from that proper to the mineral; the process by which this state is brought about.
2. Conversion into a false or deceptive form; by transformation, or forced into an abnormal formation.
2. Conversion into a false or deceptive form; by transformation, or forced into an abnormal formation.
pyknomorphic, pycnomorphic
Having a solid or compact form.
pyknomorphous, pycnomorphous
Characterized by having a solid or compact form.
pyrometamorphism
Contact metamorphism (change in the structure of rock) occurring at temperatures near the melting points of the constituent minerals in contact with magma.
retromorphosis
1. A degenerative metamorphosis or a change in cells or tissues that is the reverse of the constructive or developmental change.
A return to an earlier or embryonic stage.
2. A change for the worse.
rheomorphism, rheomorphic
The process by which a rock becomes mobile and partially or completely fused; usually, the result of heating by the addition of extraneous magmatic material.
rhizomorph
1. A structure in some pathogenic fungi that allows them to move from host to host.
2. A branched strand of fungus that looks like a root.
3. A dense mass of any of the threadlike filaments forming a root-like structure characteristic of many fungi.
2. A branched strand of fungus that looks like a root.
3. A dense mass of any of the threadlike filaments forming a root-like structure characteristic of many fungi.
