anamorphosis

an·a·mor·pho·sis

 (ăn′ə-môr′fə-sĭs)

n. pl. an·a·mor·pho·ses (-sēz′)

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.

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

anamorphosis

(ˌænəˈmɔːfəsɪs; -mɔːˈfəʊsɪs)

n, pl -ses (-ˌsiːz)

1. (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. (Biology) the evolution of one type of organism from another by a series of gradual changes

[C18: from Greek, from anamorphoun to transform, from morphē form, shape]

an•a•mor•pho•sis

(ˌæn əˈmɔr fə sɪs, -mɔrˈfoʊ sɪs)

n., pl. -ses (-ˌsiz, -siz)

1. a drawing presenting a distorted image that appears in natural form under certain conditions, as when reflected from a curved mirror.

2. the gradual change in form from one type to another during the evolution of a group of organisms.

[1720–30; < Greek, <anamorphō–, variant s. of anamorphoun to transform (see ana-, morpho-)]

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

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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"