polymorphism
/pɒlɪˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/ · noun
Meaning
- 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.
- The feature pertaining to the dynamic treatment of data elements based on their type, allowing for an instance of a method to have several definitions.
- (type theory) 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.
Etymology / origin
No prose etymology has been added yet.
No ancestor words have been linked yet.
Related words
Descendant words
No descendant words have been linked yet.