'morphallactic' originates from New Latin/modern scientific coinage, specifically the word 'morphallaxis', where 'morph-' meant 'form' and Greek 'allassein' meant 'to change'.

'morphallactic' developed from Greek roots 'morphē' + 'allásso' via New Latin 'morphallaxis', entering English as a scientific adjective describing a type of regeneration.

Initially, it meant 'a change of form', but in biological usage it evolved into the more specific meaning 'relating to regeneration by reorganization of existing tissues'.