polymorphic
Taking many forms
Polymorphic means taking multiple forms.
In biology, a polymorphic species displays different physical variations within the same population: The polymorphic butterfly exists in both yellow and orange forms.
In computing, polymorphic code can change its appearance while maintaining function—viruses use this to evade detection, while programmers use polymorphism to write flexible code that handles different data types.
Capable in varied contexts
- flexibleAble to bend freely
- multiformHaving many forms
- proteanReadily changing form
- variableProne to fluctuation
changeable · mutable · transformable · shape-shifting · dynamic · malleable · plastic · fluid
Property received from ancestors
- overloadingExceeding safe capacity
- overridingOf chief importance
- interfaceShared connection point
- abstractionDistilling to essential qualities
encapsulation · virtual · method · class · type · runtime · compile-time · generics
Gene variant at one locus
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
- variationChange from a norm
genetics · speciation · inheritance · gene · chromosome · DNA · locus · recombination
Openwork of crossed strips
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- hexagonalSix-edged polygon's form
- cubicOf three dimensions
twinning · habit · phase transition · Bragg · mineralogy · anisotropy · cleavage · quartz
One who copies others
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- resemblanceLikeness between things
- butterflyWinged insect from caterpillar
predator · prey · co-evolution · viceroy · monarch · warning coloration · deception · palatable
versatile
Capable in varied contexts
variable · changeable · mutable · transformable · shape-shifting · dynamic · malleable · plastic · fluid · multifaceted
inheritance
Property received from ancestors
- overloadingExceeding safe capacity
- overridingOf chief importance
- interfaceShared connection point
abstraction · encapsulation · virtual · method · class · type · runtime · compile-time · generics · parametric
allele
Gene variant at one locus
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
variation · genetics · speciation · inheritance · gene · chromosome · DNA · locus · recombination · natural selection
lattice
Openwork of crossed strips
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- hexagonalSix-edged polygon's form
cubic · twinning · habit · phase transition · Bragg · mineralogy · anisotropy · cleavage · quartz · silicate
mimic
One who copies others
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- resemblanceLikeness between things
butterfly · predator · prey · co-evolution · viceroy · monarch · warning coloration · deception · palatable · unpalatable
- poly- wordspolygon, polymer, polyglot, polymath, polynomial
- Genetic Traitshair color, dark hair, skin color, dimples, blood type
polymorphicmonomorphic
Having one form
uniform · invariant · unvarying · homogeneous · isomorphic
polymorphicmonomorphic
Having one form
fixed · static · immutable · unchanging · hardcoded