Definition

Noun: 1. Similarity or identity of form, shape, or structure: In biology, isomorphy refers to the state or condition of having the same or a very similar form, shape, or structure between different organisms, organs, or crystals, often despite differences in origin or function.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The isomorphy between the wings of a bat and the flippers of a dolphin is a classic example of convergent evolution.
  • The study focused on the isomorphy in the skeletal structures of these two distinct species.
  • Crystallographers noted a perfect isomorphy between the two mineral samples.

Advanced Usage

• Conceptual Isomorphy: The term can be extended metaphorically to describe a close structural similarity between ideas, systems, or patterns in fields like mathematics, linguistics, or sociology.
  • There is a clear conceptual isomorphy between the structure of an atom and a solar system.

Variants and Related Words

• Isomorphic (adj): Having the same form, shape, or structure.
  • The two graphs are mathematically isomorphic.
• Isomorphism (n): A more common synonym for isomorphy, especially in mathematics and the physical sciences, denoting a one-to-one structure-preserving mapping.
  • The isomorphism between the two algebraic groups was proven.

Synonyms

• Similarity: The quality or state of being alike.
• Resemblance: The state of resembling or being alike.
• Correspondence: A close similarity, connection, or equivalence.

Antonyms

• Heteromorphy: The state of having different forms.
• Dissimilarity: The quality of being unlike or different.
• Disparity: A great difference or inequality.

Noun

1. (biology) similarity or identity of form or shape or structure