pleomorphism Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound
polymorphism.
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noun (biology) the appearance of two or more distinctly different forms in the life cycle of some organisms
WordNet
Ple`o*mor"phism noun
Etymology
Gr. more + form.Definitions
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(Crystallog.) The property of crystallizing under two or more distinct fundamental forms, including dimorphism and trimorphism. -
(Biol.) The theory that the various genera of bacteria are phases or variations of growth of a number of Protean species, each of which may exhibit, according to undetermined conditions, all or some of the forms characteristic of the different genera and species. thoroughly discredited, except for a few apparent examples of such a phenomenon.