pseudomorph
Crystal in disguise
A pseudomorph is a mineral that has replaced another while retaining the original's external shape—the crystal form of one substance housing the chemistry of another.
The term extends to anything that mimics another's form without sharing its essence: The abandoned factory stood as a pseudomorph of industry, its machinery long gutted.
In biology, pseudomorphs are organisms or structures superficially resembling unrelated forms.
What takes another's place
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
- moldForm-giving container
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
crystallography · silicate · limonite · pyrite · cassiterite · chalcedony · agate · quartz
What takes another's place
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- conversionAct of changing states
- transmutationComplete change of form
alteration · petrification · mineralization · fossilization · preservation · infilling · casting · encrustation
Faithful scaled reproduction
- simulacrumImitative stand-in for reality
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- forgeryCreating fraudulent imitations
substitute · lookalike · copy · duplicate · reproduction · semblance · mimicry · knockoff
Identity-concealing alteration
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
pretense · sham · false front · guise · camouflage · feint · subterfuge · illusion
replacement
What takes another's place
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
- moldForm-giving container
- petrificationBecoming rock-like
fossilization · crystallography · silicate · limonite · pyrite · cassiterite · chalcedony · agate · quartz · feldspar
replacement
What takes another's place
- substitutionExchange of one for another
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- conversionAct of changing states
transmutation · alteration · petrification · mineralization · fossilization · preservation · infilling · casting · encrustation
replica
Faithful scaled reproduction
- simulacrumImitative stand-in for reality
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
forgery · substitute · lookalike · copy · duplicate · reproduction · semblance · mimicry · knockoff · ersatz
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
facade · pretense · sham · false front · guise · camouflage · feint · subterfuge · illusion · decoy