Dimorphism

dimorphism (adjective, dimorphic): having two forms or manifestations, though of the same species, as in a juvenile and adult form, or a male and a female form. Though usually used to refer to physical form and appearance, the meaning of this term can be extended by analogy to apply to sex differences in behavior and language. Antonym, monomorphism

Dictionary of Sexology Project: Main Index

Di*mor"phism (?), n. [Cf. F. dimorphisme.]

1. Biol.

Difference of form between members of the same species, as when a plant has two kinds of flowers, both hermaphrodite (as in the partridge berry), or when there are two forms of one or both sexes of the same species of butterfly.

Dimorphism is the condition of the appearance of the same species under two dissimilar forms. Darwin.

2. Crystallog.

Crystallization in two independent forms of the same chemical compound, as of calcium carbonate as calcite and aragonite.

 

© Webster 1913.