(ˈ)dīˈmȯrˌfizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary dimorph- (from Greek dimorphos ) + -ism
: the condition or property of being dimorphic or dimorphous: as
a. : difference (as of form, color, size) between two individuals or kinds of individuals that might be expected to be similar or identical
the floating and submerged leaves of aquatic plants may exhibit considerable dimorphism
in certain marine invertebrates sexual dimorphism is so extreme that the male is reduced to a minute parasite in the kidney of the female
— compare polymorphism
b. : crystallization in two different forms