morph

¹

[ mawrf ]

noun

1. Linguistics. a sequence of phonemes constituting a minimal unit of grammar or syntax, and, as such, a representation, member, or contextual variant of a morpheme in a specific environment. Compare allomorph ( def 2 ).
2. Biology. an individual of one particular form, as a worker ant, in a species that occurs in two or more forms.

verb (used with object)

1. to transform (an image) by computer.

verb (used without object)

1. to be transformed:

   morphing from a tough negotiator to Mr. Friendly.

morph-

²

1. variant of morpho- before a vowel:

   morpheme.

-morph

³

1. a combining form meaning “form, structure,” of the kind specified by the initial element:

   isomorph.

morph

¹

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. biology any of the different forms of individual found in a polymorphic species

morph.

²

abbreviation for

1. morphological
2. morphology

-morph

³

combining form

1. indicating shape, form, or structure of a specified kind

   ectomorph

morph

⁴

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. linguistics the phonological representation of a morpheme

morph

⁵

/ mɔːf /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo morphing
2. to transform or be transformed completely in appearance or character

   he morphed from nerd into pop icon

noun

1. a morphed image

morph

/ môrf /

1. A phenotypically distinct form of an organism or species.

Derived Forms

• -morphic, combining_form:in_adjective
• -morphy, combining_form:in_noun:countable

Other Words From

• morphic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of morph¹

1945–50; back formation from morpheme, or independent use of -morph

Origin of morph²

< Greek -morphos; -morphous

Word History and Origins

Origin of morph¹

C20: from Greek morphē shape

Origin of morph²

from Greek -morphos, from morphē shape

Origin of morph³

C20: shortened form of morpheme

Example Sentences

“At first, I thought it could be a morph of the silvered leaf monkey,” Miles says.

From Science News For Students

“At first, I thought it could be a morph of the silvered leaf monkey,” meaning a member of the species with rare color variation, Miles says.

From Science News

This morph desk lamp tracks your local daylight to create optimal brightness that suits your space.

From Popular-Science

But while the drug may not morph into a money making machine, it may work to maintain the safety of residents.

From The Daily Beast

That song would soon morph from the jaunty clip of the light rail to the siren sounds of jazz.

From The Daily Beast

I knew he was the only actor who would be willing to morph into the numerous subjects portrayed in the original images.

From The Daily Beast

The notion to morph a specialty tortilla chip into a taco shell at first may sound like it would be a snap.

From The Daily Beast

When the raven-man promises Bran that he will “fly,” does he mean the boy is about to morph into mutant bird as well?

From The Daily Beast

The wings of white morph butterflies bring the highest price, but even a common swallow-tail is riches enough.

From Project Gutenberg

"ber die Beziehungen zwischen Mammartasche u. Marsupium," Morph.

From Project Gutenberg

This is a common color morph in many species of Eleutherodactylus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alter
• modify
• transform