polymorphism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (genetics) the genetic variation within a population that natural selection can operate on
  2. noun (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound
    pleomorphism.
  3. noun (biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)

WordNet


Pol`y*mor"phism noun
Definitions
  1. (Crystallog.) Same as Pleomorphism.
  2. (Biol.) (a) The capability of assuming different forms; the capability of widely varying in form. (b) Existence in many forms; the coexistence, in the same locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but produced from common parents.

Webster 1913