allomorph

noun

al·​lo·​morph ˈa-lə-ˌmȯrf How to pronounce allomorph (audio)
: one of a set of forms that a morpheme may take in different contexts
the -s of cats, the -en of oxen, and the zero suffix of sheep are allomorphs of the English plural morpheme
allomorphic adjective
allomorphism noun

Word History

Etymology

allo- + -morph (in morpheme), on the model of allophone : phoneme

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allomorph was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near allomorph

Cite this Entry

“Allomorph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allomorph. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

allomorph

noun
al·​lo·​morph ˈal-ə-ˌmȯrf How to pronounce allomorph (audio)
1
: any of two or more distinct crystalline forms of the same substance
2
: a pseudomorph that has undergone change or substitution of material
allomorphic adjective
allomorphism noun

More from Merriam-Webster on allomorph

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!