Meaning of DIMORPHISM
| Pronunciation: | | dI'morfizum
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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- [n] (biology) the existence of two forms of individual within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)
- [n] (chemistry) the property of certain substances that enables them to exist in two distinct crystalline forms
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DIMORPHISM is a 10 letter word that starts with D. |
| | See Also: | | pleomorphism, polymorphism | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | \Di*mor"phism\, n. [Cf. F. dimorphisme.]
1. (Biol.) Difference of form between members of the same
species, as when a plant has two kinds of flowers, both
hermaphrodite (as in the partridge berry), or when there
are two forms of one or both sexes of the same species of
butterfly.
Dimorphism is the condition of the appearance of the
same species under two dissimilar forms. --Darwin.
2. (Crystallog.) Crystallization in two independent forms of
the same chemical compound, as of calcium carbonate as
calcite and aragonite.
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| Biology Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | Having two different distinct forms of individuals within the same species or two different distinct forms of parts within the same organism. For plants, it could refer to different leaf types, flowers, etc. For animals, it could refer to different coloring, sizes, features, etc. Sexual dimorphism is a common case, where the two sexes have different shapes, sizes, etc. from each other. |
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