morph

[mawrf] /mɔrf/
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)
3.
to transform (an image) by computer.
verb (used without object)
4.
to be transformed:
morphing from a tough negotiator to Mr. Friendly.
Origin
1945-50; back formation from morpheme, or independent use of -morph
Related forms
morphic, adjective

morph-

1.
variant of morpho- before a vowel:
morpheme.

-morph

1.
a combining form meaning “form, structure,” of the kind specified by the initial element:
isomorph.
Origin
< Greek -morphos; see -morphous
Examples from the web for morph
  • And with the aid of digital effects, one style would morph into another.
  • Once college athletics got to be big money it was natural that it would morph into a model for organized crime.
  • Over the next five months these tiny missives would morph into a complex, engrossing and even lyrical narrative.
  • Markings on underparts are less distinct on rufous morph birds.
  • There's also a fun interactive station where you can literally morph yourself into an early hominid.
  • Click ahead for a look at how the traditional cottage garden can morph to fit your own personal gardening style.
  • But the promise of embryonic stem cells for medicine rests on more than their powers to morph into any body tissue.
  • Yet, over the past week, the drug firms' crisis has appeared to morph into something uniquely dark and dangerous.
  • Despite their reputation as static structures, galaxies often collide and morph into peculiar new shapes.
  • Key to treating some cancers may be blasting viruses that cause them before they morph into malignancies.
British Dictionary definitions for morph

morph1

/mɔːf/
noun
1.
(linguistics) the phonological representation of a morpheme
Word Origin
C20: shortened form of morpheme

morph2

/mɔːf/
noun
1.
(biology) any of the different forms of individual found in a polymorphic species
Word Origin
C20: from Greek morphē shape

morph3

/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
3.
a morphed image

-morph

combining form
1.
indicating shape, form, or structure of a specified kind: ectomorph
Derived Forms
-morphic, -morphous, combining_form:in_adjective
-morphy, combining_form:in_noun:countable
Word Origin
from Greek -morphos, from morphē shape
Word Origin and History for morph

as a noun, in biology, 1955; as a verb, in cinematic special effects, c.1987, short for metamorphosis. Related: Morphed; morphing. Earlier it was a slang shortening of morphine (1912).

morph in Medicine

-morph suff.
Form; shape; structure: endomorph.

morph in Science
morph
  (môrf)   
A phenotypically distinct form of an organism or species.
Slang definitions & phrases for morph

morph

noun
  1. Morphine (1912+ Narcotics)
  2. morphodite (1940s+)
verb

To change one image into another by a computer technique: One of the most popular techniques in TV ads has been to ''morph'' a Democratic rival into Clinton, employing special effects to have the candidate's face change into the President's/ One thing morphs into another before your very eyes (1990s+)

[fr Greek morphe, ''form'']


Related Abbreviations for morph

morph

  1. metamorphose
  2. morphine