anamorphosis

an·a·mor·pho·sis  (n-môrf-ss)

n. pl. an·a·mor·pho·ses (-sz)

1.

a. An image that appears distorted unless it is viewed from a special angle or with a special instrument.

b. The production of such an image.

2. Evolutionary increase in complexity of form and function.

---

[New Latin anamorphsis, from Late Greek anamorphoun, to transform : Greek ana-, ana- + Greek morph, shape.]

---

anamorphosis [ˌænəˈmɔːfəsɪs -mɔːˈfəʊsɪs]

n pl -ses [-ˌsiːz]

1. (Physics / General Physics) Optics

a.  an image or drawing distorted in such a way that it becomes recognizable only when viewed in a specified manner or through a special device

b.  the process by which such images or drawings are produced

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the evolution of one type of organism from another by a series of gradual changes

[from Greek, from anamorphoun to transform, from morphē form, shape]

---

anamorphosis

an abnormal change in the form of a plant that falsely gives it the appearance of a different species. — anamorphic, adj.

See also: Botany

---

anamorphism.

See also: Art, Form, Representation

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	anamorphosis - the evolution of one type of organism from another by a long series of gradual changes anamorphism organic evolution, phylogenesis, phylogeny, evolution - (biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms
	2.	anamorphosis - a distorted projection or perspective; especially an image distorted in such a way that it becomes visible only when viewed in a special manner anamorphism copy - a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing; "she made a copy of the designer dress"; "the clone was a copy of its ancestor"