Pleomorphism
Pronunciation : Ple`o*mor"phism
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Gr.
Definition : 1. (Crystallog.)
Defn: The property of crystallizing under two or more distinct fundamental forms, including dimorphism and trimorphism.
2. (Biol.)
Defn: The theory that the various genera of bacteria are phases or variations of growth of a number of Protean species, each of which may exhibit, according to undetermined conditions, all or some of the forms characteristic of the different genera and species.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913