Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web

morph

- 10 dictionary results

morph

[mawrf]
–noun
1. Linguistics. a sequence of phonemes constituting a minimal unit of grammar or syntax, and, as such, a representation, member, or contextual variant of a morpheme in a specific environment. Compare allomorph (def. 2).
2. Biology. an individual of one particular form, as a worker ant, in a species that occurs in two or more forms.
–verb (used with object)
3. to transform (an image) by computer.
–verb (used without object)
4. to be transformed: morphing from a tough negotiator to Mr. Friendly.

Origin:
1945–50; back formation from morpheme, or independent use of -morph


morphic, adjective

morph-

var. of morpho- before a vowel: morpheme.

-morph

a combining form meaning “form, structure,” of the kind specified by the initial element: isomorph.

Origin:
< Gk -morphos; see -morphous

morpho-

a combining form meaning “form, structure,” used in the formation of compound words: morphology.
Also, especially before a vowel, morph-.


Origin:
< Gk, comb. form of morph
morph 1   (môrf)   
n.  An allomorph.

[From morpheme.]
morph 2   (môrf)   
n.  One of various distinct forms of an organism or species.

[From Greek morphē, form, shape.]
morph 3   (môrf)   
v.   morphed, morph·ing, morphs

v.   tr.
To transform (an image) by computer: cinematic special effects that morphed the villain into a snake.
v.   intr.
To be transformed: "Yesterday's filmstrip has morphed into today's school computer" (Clifford Stoll).

[Shortening of metamorphose.]

Main Entry: morph
Function: abbreviation
1 morphological
2 morphology
morph   (môrf)  Pronunciation Key 
A phenotypically distinct form of an organism or species.
morph
  1. metamorphose
  2. morphine
Search another word or see morph on Thesaurus | Reference
>