How Do You Spell HETEROMORPHOUS?

Pronunciation: [hˈɛtɹə͡ʊmˌɔːfəs] (IPA)

Heteromorphous is a word that refers to an entity having different forms or shapes. Its spelling is quite complicated with a cluster of consonants and vowels. The word is pronounced as /het-er-uh-mawr-fuh s/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable, "het," is pronounced with a short 'e' sound. The second syllable, "er," is pronounced like the 'ur' in 'curd.' The third syllable, "uh," has a vowel schwa sound. Finally, "morphous" is pronounced with a long 'o' as in 'more' and ends with an 'us' sound.

HETEROMORPHOUS Meaning and Definition

1. Heteromorphous is an adjective that describes something as having different or dissimilar forms or shapes. The term is derived from the combination of the Greek words "hetero," meaning different, and "morphē," meaning shape or form.

   In various contexts, heteromorphous can refer to the existence or occurrence of diverse or distinct morphological structures within a particular species or group. For example, in biology, it can describe organisms that display polymorphism, where individuals of the same species exhibit different physical characteristics, such as different color patterns or body shapes. This can be observed in insects like butterflies, where multiple wing patterns can be found within a single species.

   Heteromorphous can also be applied to describe differences in shape or structure between different groups or classes. In the field of paleontology, heteromorphous can be used to highlight variations in the morphology of fossils or ancient organisms, especially when comparing them across different time periods or evolutionary lineages.

   Overall, heteromorphous conveys the idea of diversity or dissimilarity in forms, shapes, or structures, emphasizing the coexistence of distinct or contrasting characteristics within a certain framework.

2. Differing from the normal type.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Having an irregular or unusual form.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HETEROMORPHOUS

• geteromorphous
• beteromorphous
• neteromorphous
• jeteromorphous
• ueteromorphous
• yeteromorphous
• hwteromorphous
• hsteromorphous
• hdteromorphous
• hrteromorphous
• h4teromorphous
• h3teromorphous
• hereromorphous
• heferomorphous
• hegeromorphous
• heyeromorphous
• he6eromorphous
• he5eromorphous
• hetwromorphous

Etymology of HETEROMORPHOUS

The word "heteromorphous" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero-" meaning "different" and "morph" meaning "form". In Greek, "heteros" means "other" or "different", while "morphē" means "form" or "shape". By combining these roots, "heteromorphous" is formed, which means having or assuming different forms or shapes.