Polymorphism

//pɑliˈmɔɹfɪz(ə)m// noun

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The ability to assume different forms or shapes. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    (biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences) wordnet
  3. 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. 4
    (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound wordnet
  5. 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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  1. 6
    (genetics) the genetic variation within a population that natural selection can operate on wordnet
  2. 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
  3. 8
    The ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure; pleomorphism. countable, uncountable
  4. 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.

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