polymorphism
|pol-y-mor-phism|
🇺🇸
/ˌpɒliˈmɔːrfɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌpɒliˈmɔːfɪzəm/
many forms
Etymology
'polymorphism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'polymorphos,' where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'morphē' meant 'form.'
'polymorphos' transformed into the French word 'polymorphisme,' and eventually became the modern English word 'polymorphism' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'having many forms,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the ability of an object to take on many forms, often used in programming to refer to the ability of different classes to be treated as instances of the same class through a common interface.
In object-oriented programming, polymorphism allows for methods to be used interchangeably.
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Noun 2
the occurrence of different forms, stages, or types in individual organisms or in organisms of the same species, often used in biology.
The polymorphism of the butterfly species is evident in its various wing patterns.
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Last updated: 2025/07/14 02:34