1. The quality or state of having different forms or shapes; the occurrence of different structural forms in the same organism or species at different stages or under different conditions.
Usage: technical; biology
2. In mathematics and logic, a relationship between structures that preserves some but not all properties, contrasting with isomorphism.
Usage: technical; mathematics

Examples

• The heteromorphism displayed by certain insects allows them to take on different forms during their life cycle.
• Heteromorphism in plant species can result in distinct leaf shapes depending on environmental conditions.
• The study of heteromorphism helps biologists understand how organisms adapt to their environments.
• In the fossil record, heteromorphism sometimes makes it difficult to classify organisms into single species.
• The mathematical concept of heteromorphism is essential in abstract algebra and category theory.