heteromorphic

adjective

het·​ero·​mor·​phic ˌhe-tə-rə-ˈmȯr-fik How to pronounce heteromorphic (audio)
1
: deviating from the usual form
2
: exhibiting diversity of form or forms
heteromorphic pairs of chromosomes
heteromorphism noun

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heteromorphic was circa 1859

Dictionary Entries Near heteromorphic

Cite this Entry

“Heteromorphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heteromorphic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

heteromorphic

adjective
het·​ero·​mor·​phic -ˈmȯr-fik How to pronounce heteromorphic (audio)
variants also heteromorphous
1
: deviating from the usual form
2
: unlike in form or size
used specifically of synaptic chromosomes
the X and Y chromosomes constitute a heteromorphic pair
heteromorphic bivalents
compare homomorphic sense 2
heteromorphism noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!