How Do You Spell TRIMORPHOUS?

Pronunciation: [tɹˈa͡ɪmɔːfəs] (IPA)

Trimorphous is a word that describes something that exists in three different forms. It is pronounced /traɪˈmɔːfəs/ (try-MOR-fuss). To break it down, "tri-" means "three," "morph" means "form," and the "-ous" ending denotes an adjective meaning "possessing" or "full of." Therefore, trimorphous means "possessing three forms." While not a common word, it is still useful in scientific and philosophical discussions pertaining to entities which have three distinct forms.

TRIMORPHOUS Meaning and Definition

1. Trimorphous is an adjective that pertains to the existence or occurrence of three distinct forms or phases of a particular substance, object, or organism. This term combines the Greek roots "tri-" meaning "three" and "-morphous" meaning "having form" or "morphology."

   In the context of materials science, trimorphous refers to substances that can exist in three different crystalline structures or phases, often due to variations in temperature and pressure. These different forms may exhibit different physical properties, such as density, hardness, or electrical conductivity. For example, certain materials, such as titanium oxide, can exhibit trimorphous behavior, presenting three distinct crystal structures at different temperatures.

   Within the biological realm, trimorphous can describe organisms that transition through three distinct forms or stages during their life cycle. This occurs in certain plants and animals, where individuals exhibit different forms based on environmental cues or reproductive strategies. An example includes certain marine animals that exhibit a trimorphic life cycle, such as jellyfish, undergoing metamorphosis from a polyp form to a medusa form, and finally to a sexually mature stage.

   The concept of trimorphism is also found in linguistics, where it denotes words that can have three distinct forms, such as the English pronouns "he," "him," and "his."

   Overall, trimorphous signifies the occurrence, presence, or existence of three distinct forms, structures, or phases within a substance, object, organism, or linguistic construct.

2. Existing under three forms, marked by trimorphism.

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

Common Misspellings for TRIMORPHOUS

• rrimorphous
• frimorphous
• grimorphous
• yrimorphous
• 6rimorphous
• 5rimorphous
• teimorphous
• tdimorphous
• tfimorphous
• ttimorphous
• t5imorphous
• t4imorphous
• trumorphous
• trjmorphous
• trkmorphous
• tromorphous
• tr9morphous
• tr8morphous
• trinorphous
• trikorphous

Etymology of TRIMORPHOUS

The word "trimorphous" is derived from two root words: "tri-" meaning "three" and "morphous" meaning "having form or shape".

The prefix "tri-" comes from the Greek word "treis" meaning "three". It is commonly used in English to denote three-fold or three-part aspects.

The suffix "-morphous" comes from the Greek word "morphē", which means "form" or "shape". It is derived from the Greek verb "morphoun", meaning "to form" or "to shape".

Here, the combination of "tri-" and "-morphous" indicates something that has three distinct forms or shapes.