Polymorph

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In general, a polymorph is something that can exist in several states or forms. See also polymorphism.

A polymorph can be any of the following:

• In biology, Dreissena polymorpha is the scientific name for the Zebra mussel.
• In hematology, polymorph is short for the clinical term polymorphonuclear leukocyte, named for their multi-shaped nuclei. It is synonymous with the term granulocyte.
• In materials science, a polymorph is a solid which shares chemical composition with another material but is composed of a different crystal lattice or form, see polymorphism (materials science). Also see allotropy.
• In polymer science, polycaprolactone is often called polymorph.
• In algebra, a polymorph is an integer which can be expressed in multiple ways using a certain form (further explanation at mathworld.wolfram.com).
• In fantasy role-playing games, polymorph means to change the shape of something, usually from one living being to another, and usually via magical means. This usage has been abbreviated in the context of computer graphics to the word "poly" or "morph."
• Polymorph (Red Dwarf episode) is an episode of the British sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf and the shape-changing mutant that appears in it.