ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌmȯrˌfizəm, ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary polymorph ous + -ism
: the quality or state of being polymorphous: as
a.
(1) : capability of assuming different forms : capability of wide variation
(2) : existence of a species in several forms independent of the variations of sex (as in various butterflies whose broods, appearing at different seasons, differ in size or color, or both, or in ants and termites, in which different castes exist) — compare dimorphism , heteromorphism
b. : the property of crystallizing in two or more forms with distinct structures — compare allotropy