170. Form

allomerism

variability of a chemical compound in which there is no variation in crystalline form. — allomeric, adj.

amorphism

the quality of being shapeless. Also, Rare. amorphy . — amorphic, adj.

anamorphism

a distorted image of an object, as in anamorphic art. Also anamorphosis . — anamorphic, adj.

anamorphoscope

a cylindrical mirror for correcting the distorted image created by anamorphism.

anamorphosis, anamorphosy

anamorphism.

decussation

the state of being in the form of an X. See also 230. JOINING .

geomorphology

Physical Geography. the study of the characteristics, origins, and development of land forms. — geomorphologist, n. — geomorphologic, geomorphological, adj.

gibbosity

the state or condition of being curved, especially convexly. — gibbous, adj.

hemitery

any minor malformation.

heteromorphism, heteromorphy

1 . the quality of differing in form from the standard or norm.

2 . the condition of existing in different forms at different stages of development, as certain insects. — heteromorphic, adj.

idiomorphism

the state or quality of having a peculiar or characteristic form; uniqueness or individuality in form. — idiomorphic, adj.

incorporealism

the state of having no material body or form. — incorporeity, n.

morphogenesis

the origin(s) of the various aspects of the form of an organism. Also called morphogeny . — morphogenetic, adj.

morphography

the scientific description of form. — morphographer, n. — morphographic, adj.

morphology

1 . the study of the form or structure of anything.

2 . the branch of biology that studies the form and structure of plants and animals. See also geomorphology. — morphologist, n. — morphologic, morphological, adj.

morphometry

the process or technique of measuring the external form of an object. — morphometrical, adj.

morphonomy

the study of the laws governing form in nature. — morphonomic, adj.

morphophyly

the study of the phylogeny of forms.

omniformity

the state or quality of having every form. — omniform, adj.

orthogonality

the state or quality of being right-angled or perpendicular. — orthogonal, adj.

palingenesis

1 . the phase in the development of an organism in which its form and structure pass through the changes undergone in the evolution of the species.

2 . the morphological and structural changes that occur during insect development. Also palingenesia, palingenesy. — palingenetic, adj.

promorphology

the branch of morphology that studies the forms of organisms from a mathematical point of view. — promorphologist, n. — promorphological adj.

schematism

the form, disposition, or outline of a thing or concept. — schematist, n.

tectology

a branch of morphology that regards an organism as made up of other organisms. — tectological, adj.

tetramorphism

the property of displaying four different forms. — tetramorph, n. — tetramorphic, adj.

trimorphism

the state or quality of occurring in three distinct forms, usually at different stages of development, as certain plants, organisms, etc. — trimorphic, trimorphous, adj.