dimorphic

/dai'mɔ:fik/ Cách viết khác : (dimorphous) /dai'mɔ:fəs/

Thân thiện

A male and female cardinal show dimorphic plumage at a bird feeder.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Occurring or existing in two different forms: Describes something that has two distinct forms, shapes, or appearances, often within the same species or substance.

Usage

• The term "dimorphic" is primarily used in scientific contexts, especially in biology, mineralogy, and chemistry. It describes a clear, categorical difference between two forms.
• It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "are").

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • The species exhibits dimorphic characteristics, with males being brightly colored and females being camouflaged.
  • Scientists studied the dimorphic nature of the mineral under different temperatures.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • This organism is dimorphic, existing as both a yeast and a mold.
  • The crystals are dimorphic, meaning they can crystallize in two different systems.

Advanced Usage

• Sexual dimorphism: A common specific application in biology, referring to the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sexes in the same species.
  • Sexual dimorphism is pronounced in many bird species, where males often have more elaborate plumage.
• Dimorphic fungi: Fungi that can exist in two different morphological forms, often switching between a yeast phase and a filamentous (hyphal) phase.
  • Histoplasma capsulatum is a well-known dimorphic fungus that causes respiratory infections.

Variants and Related Words

• Dimorphous (adjective): An alternative form with the same meaning as "dimorphic."
  • The dimorphous properties of the compound were documented.
• Dimorphism (noun): The condition or phenomenon of existing in two distinct forms.
  • The study focused on the dimorphism observed in the insect's life cycle.

Synonyms

• Biform: Having or combining two forms.
• Dual-formed: Existing in two forms (less common, more descriptive).

Antonyms

• Monomorphic: Existing in only one form.
• Uniform: Having the same form or character throughout.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. occurring or existing in two different forms
   • dimorphic crystals
   • dimorphous organisms

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dimorphous