I. ˈmeˌrizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: mer- (III) + -ism
biology : a repetition of homologous parts — compare metamerism
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Greek merismos, literally, division, from merizein to divide, from mer- mer- (III) + -izein -ize
: a synecdoche in which a totality is expressed by two contrasting parts
old and young, thick and thin, near and far are typical merisms