polymorph

/ˈpɑliˌmɔrf/
verb
  1. To change or transform into a different form or shape.
    • Under extreme pressure, the mineral can polymorph into a denser structure.
    • In the video game, the character can polymorph into a wolf to run faster.
    • The software allows users to polymorph images by applying various filters.
noun
  1. A substance or object that can exist in two or more different forms or crystal structures.
    • The chemist studied the properties of each polymorph of the drug to find the most stable version.
    • Graphite and diamond are well-known polymorphs of carbon.
    • Calcite and aragonite are two different polymorphs of calcium carbonate.
  2. In biology, an organism that has more than one distinct form during its life cycle.
    • Biologists observed the polymorph of the ant species, noting the different castes in the colony.
    • Some insects are polymorphs, changing appearance as they grow from larvae to adults.
    • The jellyfish is a polymorph that exists as both a polyp and a medusa.
What does "polymorph" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean