Polymorphism
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Look up polymorphism, polymorph, polymorphic, polymorphous, or polymorphy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Polymorphism, polymorphic, polymorph, polymorphous, or polymorphy may refer to:
Computing
- Polymorphism (computer science), the ability in programming to present the same programming interface for differing underlying forms
- Ad hoc polymorphism, applying polymorphic functions to arguments of different types
- Parametric polymorphism, abstracts types, so that multiple can be used with a single implementation
- Bounded quantification, restricts type parameters to a range of subtypes
- Subtyping, different classes related by some common superclass can be used in place of that superclass
- Row polymorphism, uses structural subtyping to allow polymorphism over records
- Polymorphic code, self-modifying program code designed to defeat anti-virus programs or reverse engineering
Science
Biology
- Chromosomal polymorphism, a condition where one species contains members with varying chromosome counts or shapes
- Cell polymorphism, variability in size of cells or nuclei
- Gene polymorphism, the existence of more than one allele at a gene's locus within a population
- Genetic polymorphism, two or more alleles occurring at one DNA position or in one DNA region, each with appreciable frequency in the population
- Lipid polymorphism, the property of amphiphiles that gives rise to various aggregations of lipids
- Polymorphic, a wave pattern seen on an electrocardiogram; see QRS complex
- Polymorphism (biology), the occurrence of more than one form in the same population of a species
- Polymorphism (RLFP), a technique that exploits variations in homologous DNA sequences
Other sciences
- Polymorphism (materials science), the existence of a solid material in two or more crystal structures, known as polymorphs
- Polymorph, a marketing name for polycaprolactone, a type of thermoplastic which fuses at 60 °C
Fiction
- Polymorph, a shapeshifting being in:
- "Polymorph" (Red Dwarf), third episode of series III of the science fiction sitcom
- "Emohawk: Polymorph II", fourth episode of series VI of the science fiction sitcom
- Polymorph (novel), a 1997 cyberpunk novel by Scott Westerfeld
- Polymorph, a magical spell in many fantasy role-playing games that transforms a target into one of many different creatures for a period of time