metamerism

noun me·tam·er·ism \ mə-ˈta-mə-ˌri-zəm \

Definition of metamerism

: the condition of having or the stage of evolutionary development characterized by a body made up of metameres

First Known Use of metamerism

1877

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

metamerism

noun me·tam·er·ism \ mə-ˈtam-ə-ˌriz-əm \

medical Definition of metamerism

1 : isomerism especially of chemical compounds of the same type

2 : the condition of having or the stage of evolutionary development characterized by a body made up of metamers that is usually held to be an essential prelude to the differentiation of the more highly organized animals (as arthropods and vertebrates) through the disproportionate development and elaboration of some segments together with the coalescence, reduction, or loss of others

3 : the phenomenon exhibited by pairs of color metamers