polymorphism

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: polymorphic, polymorphisms, polymorphs, polyorchism, holomorphism, polymorphus

Antonyms: polymorphic, polymorphisms, polymorphs, polyorchism, holomorphism, polymorphus

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. The ability to assume [[different]] [[form]]s or [[shape]]s.
2. {{lb|en|biology}} The [[coexistence]], in the same locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but produced from common parents.
3. {{lb|en|object-oriented programming}} A feature pertaining to the dynamic treatment of data elements based on their type, allowing for a [[method]] to have several definitions. {{attention|en|computing}}
4. {{lb|en|mathematics|type theory}} The property of certain [[typed]] [[formal system]]s of allowing for the use of [[type variable]]s and binders/quantifiers over those type variables; likewise, the property of certain expressions (within such typed formal systems) of making use of at least one such typed variable.
5. {{lb|en|crystallography}} The ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure; [[pleomorphism]].
6. {{lb|en|genetics}} The regular existence of two or more different [[genotypes]] within a given species or population; also, variability of [[amino acid]] sequences within a gene's protein.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.