allomorphic
/ˌæləˈmɔrfɪk/
adjective
- Relating to a variant form of a morpheme (the smallest meaningful unit of language) that appears in different contexts without changing the core meaning.
- The allomorphic alternation between 'a' and 'an' depends on whether the next word starts with a vowel sound.
- Linguistics students studied the allomorphic variations of the past tense marker -ed in English.
- The plural suffix -s has allomorphic forms like /s/, /z/, and /ɪz/ depending on the final sound of the noun.
- Relating to a variant form of a chemical element or compound that has a different crystalline structure but the same chemical composition.
- Diamond and graphite are allomorphic forms of carbon with very different physical properties.
- The allomorphic transformation of quartz occurs under extreme heat and pressure deep underground.
- Scientists discovered a new allomorphic arrangement of ice that exists only at very low temperatures.