anamorphosis

[ an-uh-mawr-fuh-sis, -mawr-foh-sis ]

noun

, plural an·a·mor·pho·ses [an-, uh, -, mawr, -f, uh, -seez, -mawr-, foh, -seez].

1. a drawing presenting a distorted image that appears in natural form under certain conditions, as when viewed at a raking angle or reflected from a curved mirror.
2. the method of producing such a drawing.
3. Zoology, Entomology. the gradual change in form from one type to another during the evolution of a group of organisms.
4. (in certain arthropods) metamorphosis in which body parts or segments are added to those already present.

anamorphosis

/ -mɔːˈfəʊsɪs; ˌænəˈmɔːfəsɪs /

noun

1. optics
   1. an image or drawing distorted in such a way that it becomes recognizable only when viewed in a specified manner or through a special device
   2. the process by which such images or drawings are produced
2. the evolution of one type of organism from another by a series of gradual changes

Word History and Origins

Origin of anamorphosis¹

1720–30; < Greek, equivalent to anamorphō- (variant stem of anamorphoûn to transform; ana-, morpho- ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of anamorphosis¹

C18: from Greek, from anamorphoun to transform, from morphē form, shape

Example Sentences

Actors could now more plausibly move around, and a wider range of viewers in the auditorium could get the scenic illusion without the risk of unintended anamorphosis, or visual warping.

From New York Times

It uses the same principle of perspective, anamorphosis, that some artists play with to make work that creates an optical illusion when viewed from a specific vantage point.

From The Verge

Instead, her moves were attuned to an anticipated visual experience—something like the forced perspective of a raked theater stage or the optical illusion of anamorphosis.

From The New Yorker

Phantom shapes Several artists use anamorphosis, a type of perspective that relies on a particular vantage point.

From Scientific American

Thus does the present offer us only shapes for optical anamorphoses, and only our spirit is the sublime mirror which transposes them into fair human forms.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• deformation
• deformity