-morphism

1. a combining form occurring in nouns that correspond to adjectives ending in -morphic or -morphous:

   monomorphism.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -morphism¹

-morphous, -ism

Example Sentences

Pale tigers, distinct from white tigers, are thought to have a genetic mutation that results in what biologists call colour morphism.

From The Guardian

Other low-rated equations included Riemann’s functional equation, the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways, and an example of an exact sequence where the image of one morphism equals the kernel of the next.

From Scientific American

This definition has been weakened by anthropo- 517:3 morphism, or a humanization of Deity.

From Project Gutenberg

When To Use

What does -morphism mean?

The combining form -morphism is used like a suffix meaning “the state of being a shape, form, or structure.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology.The form -morphism comes from a combination of two forms. The first is -morphous, from Greek -morphos, meaning “having the form [of],” ultimately from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.” The second is the suffix -ism, from Greek -ismos, denoting nouns of state or condition.What are variants of -morphism?While -morphism doesn't have any variants, it is related to a number of other forms. It is particularly used to form nouns related to the forms -morphic and -morphous, such as monomorphous. These forms are also related to the forms -morph, morph-, and morpho-. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for each of these forms.