-morphism

The combining form –morphism is used like a suffix meaning “the state of being a shape, form, or structure.” It is occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology.

The form –morphism comes from a combination of two forms. The first is –morphous, from Greek –morphos, meaning “having the form [of],” ultimately from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.” The second is the suffix –ism, from Greek –ismos, denoting nouns of state or condition.

What are variants of –morphism?

While –morphism doesn’t have any variants, it is related to a number of other forms. It is particularly used to form nouns related to the forms –morphic and –morphous, such as monomorphous. These forms are also related to the forms –morph, morph–, and morpho–. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for each of these forms.

One example of a word that features the form –morphism is polymorphism, “the state or condition of being polymorphous.” Polymorphous means “having, assuming, or passing through many or various forms, stages, or the like.”

The form poly– means “much” or “many,” from Greek polýs. The form –morphism means “the state of being a shape, form, or structure.” Polymorphism literally translates to “the state of being many shapes or forms.”

What are some words that use the combining form –morphism?

• allomorphism
• geromorphism
• karyomorphism
• paramorphism
• rheomorphism
• trimorphism (using the equivalent form of –morphism in Greek)

What are some other forms that –morphism may be commonly confused with?

• -mony
• -mycin

The combining form tri– means “three.” With that in mind, what does trimorphism literally mean?