polymorphism

poly·mor·phism

noun \ˌpä-lē-ˈmȯr-ˌfi-zəm\

Definition of POLYMORPHISM

: the quality or state of existing in or assuming different forms: as a (1) : existence of a species in several forms independent of the variations of sex (2) : existence of a gene in several allelic forms; also : a variation in a specific DNA sequence (3) : existence of a molecule (as an enzyme) in several forms in a single species b : the property of crystallizing in two or more forms with distinct structure

— poly·mor·phic \-fik\ adjective

— poly·mor·phi·cal·ly \-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

First Known Use of POLYMORPHISM

1839