polymorphism
English
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polymorphism
- /pɒlɪˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/ UK
- /pɑliˈmɔɹfɪz(ə)m/ US
Where it comes from
* (object-oriented programming) Coined by British computer scientist Christopher Strachey in 1967.
By surface analysis, poly- + -morphism.
noun polymorphisms
- The ability to assume different forms or shapes.
- 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.
- A feature pertaining to the dynamic treatment of data elements based on their type, allowing for a method to have several definitions.
- The property of certain typed formal systems of allowing for the use of type variables 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.
- The ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure; pleomorphism.
- 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. Since 1990 they have found an entirely new role: they promise understanding of how and why our genes are all so different. They hold the key to human polymorphism.
Translations
Every language
noun crystallography: ability of a material to exist in more than one form
| 日本語 | 多形 takei, 同質異像 dōshitsu-izō |
|---|---|
| Português | polimorfismo |
| Français | polymorphisme |
| Italiano | polimorfismo |
| Ελληνικά | πολυμορφισμός polymorfismós |
| Русский | полиморфи́зм polimorfízm |
noun ability to assume different forms or shapes
| Español | polimorfismo, polimorfia |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 多形 takei, 多態 tatai |
| Português | polimorfismo |
| Français | polymorphisme |
| Deutsch | Polymorphie |
| Italiano | polimorfismo |
| Ελληνικά | πολυμορφισμός polymorfismós |
| Русский | полиморфи́зм polimorfízm |
noun biology: coexistence of two or more distinct forms independent of sex
| 日本語 | 多形性 takei-sei |
|---|---|
| Português | polimorfismo |
| Français | polymorphisme |
| Deutsch | Polymorphismus |
| Italiano | polimorfismo |
| Ελληνικά | πολυμορφισμός polymorfismós |
| Русский | полиморфи́зм polimorfízm |
noun computer science: feature of object-oriented programming
| 日本語 | 多態性 tatai-sei, 多相性 tasō-sei |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 多态性 duōtàixìng |
| Português | polimorfismo |
| Français | polymorphisme |
| Deutsch | Polymorphie |
| Italiano | polimorfismo |
| Ελληνικά | πολυμορφισμός polymorfismós |
noun genetics: regular existence of two or more different genotypes within a given species or population
| Español | polimorfismo |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 多態性 /多态性 duōtàixìng |
| Português | polimorfismo |
| Français | polymorphisme |
| Deutsch | Polymorphismus, Vielgestaltigkeit |
| Italiano | polimorfismo |
| Română | polimorfism |
| Русский | полиморфи́зм polimorfízm |
Talk about this word "polymorphism." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/polymorphism. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. polymorphism. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/polymorphism "polymorphism." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/polymorphism.Cite this
@misc{polymorphism_2026,
title = {polymorphism},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/polymorphism},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
