Definition of: pleomorphism

(plē′ə·môr′fiz·əm) noun
1. Mineral. The ability of a substance to crystallize in two or more distinct fundamental forms, embracing dimorphism and trimorphism.
2. Biol. The occurrence of several independent stages in the life cycle of an organism or plant. Also ple′o·mor′phy. [<Gk. pleōn more + morphē form]
—ple′o·mor′phic, ple′o·mor′phous adjective