polymorphic

Word Origin & History

"organism of several forms," 1828, from Greek polymorphos "of many forms" (see polymorphous).

But it is polymorphic variability in the strictest sense of the word.

Passant oultre—one of Rabelais' favourite and most polymorphic expressions.

Multiform, mul′ti-form, adj. having many forms, polymorphic.

Polymorphic species may now be regarded as the link which unites ordinary variability with the historical production of species.

Some of the species are polymorphic, many varieties being produced from a single batch of eggs.

In most polymorphic genera some of the species have fixed and definite characters.

We now understand the process by which a polymorphic race maintains its polymorphism.

In a general study it is best to include the polymorphic forms under one name.

The variations have lead authors to divide this polymorphic species into several species and varieties.

The general rule which correlates this polymorphic change is that its direction changes at a given temperature.