ALLOMORPHIC Meaning and
Definition
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The term "allomorphic" is an adjective that refers to the property of having different forms or variations within a group or system. It is often used in the fields of linguistics and biology to describe specific types of variation.
In linguistics, "allomorphic" is employed to explain the different phonetic realizations or pronunciations of a morpheme, which is the smallest meaningful unit of language. For example, the past tense morpheme "-ed" in English has three different pronunciations: /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/, depending on the preceding sound in the verb. This variation in pronunciation is considered to be allomorphic.
In the field of biology, "allomorphic" describes the existence of different forms or shapes within a species, resulting from genetic variations. These variations can be observed in traits such as coloration, size, or structure. For instance, in a population of butterflies, some individuals may have vibrant colors while others have duller hues. This difference in coloration is an example of allomorphic variation.
Overall, the term "allomorphic" underscores the notion of variety, diversity, or heterogeneity within a particular system. It highlights the presence of distinct forms or variations that exist within a group or species, either in terms of linguistic elements or biological traits.
Common Misspellings for ALLOMORPHIC
- alelomorphic
- zllomorphic
- sllomorphic
- wllomorphic
- qllomorphic
- aklomorphic
- aplomorphic
- aolomorphic
- alkomorphic
- alpomorphic
- aloomorphic
- allimorphic
- allkmorphic
- alllmorphic
- allpmorphic
- all0morphic
- all9morphic
- allonorphic
- allokorphic
- allojorphic
- allomorphoc
- allomophic
- Dilomorphic
- allamorpic
Etymology of ALLOMORPHIC
The word "allomorphic" is derived from combining two roots: "allo-" and "-morphic".
1. "Allo-" is derived from the Greek word "állós" (ἄλλος), meaning "other" or "different". This prefix is commonly used to indicate difference, change, or alteration.
2. "-Morphic" is derived from the Greek word "morphḗ" (μορφή), which means "form" or "shape". This suffix is typically used to denote the form or structure of something.
Therefore, by combining these two roots, "allomorphic" is formed, meaning "having a different or alternative form or structure". In the context of language or linguistics, it specifically refers to the different sounds or pronunciation patterns representing the same linguistic unit or morpheme.
Similar spelling word for ALLOMORPHIC
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