Dictionary Definition

polymorphism

1 (chemistry) the existence of different kinds of crystal of the same chemical compound [syn: pleomorphism]

2 (biology) the existence of two or more forms of individuals within the same animal species (independent of sex differences)

User Contributed Dictionary

From poly (many) + morph (form) + -ism.

The ability to assume different forms or shapes.
In the context of "crystallography": The ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure; pleomorphism.
In the context of "biology": The coexistence, in the same locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but produced from common parents.
In the context of "computer science": The feature of object-oriented programming that allows a method to have several definitions, depending on the types of the arguments it is called with.

ability to assume different forms or shapes

crystallography: ability of a material to exist in more than one form

biology: coexistence of two or more distinct forms independent of sex

computer science: feature of object-oriented programming

Translations to be checked

In general, polymorphism describes multiple possible states for a single property (it is said to be polymorphic, or polymorphous).

Polymorphism may specifically refer to:

Polymorphism (biology), having multiple alleles of a gene within a population, usually expressing different phenotypes
Polymorphism (biophysics) also referred to as Lipid polymorphism, the property of amphiphiles that gives rise to various aggregations of lipids
Polymorphism (botany), the ability of a plant to produce both quiescent and dormant seeds
In sexology, polymorphous perversity
Type polymorphism, allowing program code to work with various types
Polymorphism in object-oriented programming
Polymorphic code, self-modifying program code designed to defeat anti-virus programs
Polymorphism (materials science), the ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure