polymorph
(ˈpɒlɪmɔːf)
[mod. f. Gr. πολύµορϕ-ος of many forms, f. πολυ-, poly- + µορϕή form. Cf. F. polymorphe adj. multiform.]
1. Nat. Hist. A polymorphous organism, or an individual of a polymorphous species. Also attrib.
| 1828 Webster, Polymorph, a name given by Soldani to a numerous tribe or series of shells, which are very small, irregular and singular in form, and which cannot be referred to any known genus. Dict. Nat. Hist. 1890 in Cent. Dict. 1895 Syd. Soc. Lex., Polymorph, one of a series the members of which are characterised by Polymorphism. 1950 Evolution IV. 298/1 There is an interesting correlation between habitat differences and shifts in polymorph frequencies. 1958 Proc. Zool. Soc. CXXXI. 87 Comparisons are often made between different polymorphs in the same population. 1975 Zool. Jrnl. CLXXVII. 334 This species [sc. Charaxes zoolina] is a simple dual polymorph with respect to wing shape. |
2. Chem. and Min. A substance that crystallizes in two or more different forms: see polymorphous 3. In mod. use, each of the different forms of such a substance.
| 1890 in Cent. Dict. 1902 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXXXII. ii. 448 With polymorphs..a quite different behaviour is observed. The melting point of the stable form is scarcely altered by the addition of the unstable modification. 1944 [see edisonite]. 1957 G. E. Hutchinson Treat. Limnol. I. x. 660 CaCO3 exists under ordinary conditions in nature in two crystalline polymorphs, calcite and aragonite. 1973 Nature 23 Mar. 241/1 Anhydrite, CaSO4, is the higher temperature polymorph of calcium sulphate. |
3. Biol. A polymorpho-nuclear leucocyte.
| 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 10 Sept. 583 The polymorpho-nuclear neutrophiles, or as I shall call them for the sake of brevity, polymorphs... There is no relation between the transitionals and the polymorphs. Ibid. 584 They [transitionals] are not increased in number in the blood in a polymorph leucocytosis. 1970 Nature 5 Sept. 1052/1 Red cells, monocytes and the majority of polymorphs had grain densities within the range of control preparations. 1977 Lancet 29 Jan. 225/1 Evidence indicates that steroids prevent the accumulation of macrophages and polymorphs in inflammatory areas. |