m]
| 1. | Zoology. the occurrence of two forms distinct in structure, coloration, etc., among animals of the same species. Compare sexual dimorphism. |
| 2. | Botany. the occurrence of two different forms of flowers, leaves, etc., on the same plant or on different plants of the same species. |
| 3. | Crystallography. the property of some substances of crystallizing in two chemically identical but crystallographically distinct forms. |
dimorphism di·mor·phism (dī-môr'fĭz'əm)
n.
Existence in two shapes or forms, especially the existence within a species of two distinct forms that differ in one or more characteristics, such as size or shape.
Crystallization of the same substance in two distinct forms.
dimorphism (dī-môr'fĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
dimorphous adjective |