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Polymorphism
//pɑliˈmɔɹfɪz(ə)m// noun
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The ability to assume different forms or shapes. countable, uncountable
- 2 (biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences) wordnet
- 3 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. countable, uncountable
- 4 (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound wordnet
- 5 A feature pertaining to the dynamic treatment of data elements based on their type, allowing for a method to have several definitions. countable, uncountable
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- 6 (genetics) the genetic variation within a population that natural selection can operate on wordnet
- 7 The property of certain typed formal systems of allowing for the use of type variables and binders/quantifiers over those type variables; likewise, the property of certain expressions (within such typed formal systems) of making use of at least one such typed variable. countable, uncountable
- 8 The ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure; pleomorphism. countable, uncountable
- 9 The regular existence of two or more different genotypes within a given species or population; also, variability of amino acid sequences within a gene's protein. countable, uncountable
"Since 1990 they have found an entirely new role: they promise understanding of how and why our genes are all so different. They hold the key to human polymorphism."
Etymology
From poly- + -morphism.
See also for "polymorphism"
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Unscramble this word: polymorphism