dimorphous
|di-mor-phous|
🇺🇸
/daɪˈmɔrfəs/
🇬🇧
/daɪˈmɔːfəs/
two-formed
Etymology
'dimorphous' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'dimorphos', where 'di-' meant 'two' and 'morphē' meant 'form'.
'dimorphous' changed from Greek 'dimorphos' into New Latin/Modern scientific usage as 'dimorphus'/'dimorphous', and was adopted into English with the same sense.
Initially, it meant 'two-formed' in a literal morphological sense, and over time it has retained that core meaning while being applied in specific scientific contexts (biology, zoology, botany).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
(Transformation) 'dimorphism' — the condition or phenomenon of being dimorphous; the existence of two distinct forms within a species or system.
Sexual dimorphism is a form of dimorphism found in many animal groups.
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Adjective 1
occurring or existing in two distinct forms; having two different morphological types (often used in biology to describe species, sexes, or life stages that show two forms).
Many insect species are dimorphous, with males and females exhibiting different wing shapes.
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Last updated: 2025/09/10 12:55