# Polymorphism

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism
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{{wiktionary|polymorphism|polymorph|polymorphic|polymorphous|polymorphy}}
'''Polymorphism''', '''polymorphic''', '''polymorph''', '''polymorphous''', or '''polymorphy''' may refer to:
{{TOC right}}

==Computing==
* [Polymorphism (computer science)](/source/Polymorphism_(computer_science)), the ability in programming to present the same programming interface for differing underlying forms
* [Ad hoc polymorphism](/source/Ad_hoc_polymorphism), applying polymorphic functions to arguments of different types
* [Parametric polymorphism](/source/Parametric_polymorphism), abstracts types, so that multiple can be used with a single implementation
** [Bounded quantification](/source/Bounded_quantification), restricts type parameters to a range of subtypes
* [Subtyping](/source/Subtyping), different classes related by some common superclass can be used in place of that superclass
* [Row polymorphism](/source/Row_polymorphism), uses structural subtyping to allow polymorphism over records
* [Polymorphic code](/source/Polymorphic_code), self-modifying program code designed to defeat anti-virus programs or reverse engineering

==Science==

===Biology===
* [Chromosomal polymorphism](/source/Chromosomal_polymorphism), a condition where one species contains members with varying chromosome counts or shapes
* [Cell polymorphism](/source/Pleomorphism_(cytology)), variability in size of cells or nuclei
* [Gene polymorphism](/source/Gene_polymorphism), the existence of more than one allele at a gene's locus within a population
* [Lipid polymorphism](/source/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](/source/QRS_complex)
* [Polymorphism (biology)](/source/Polymorphism_(biology)), the occurrence of more than one form in the same population of a species
* [Polymorphism (RLFP)](/source/Polymorphism_(RLFP)), a technique that exploits variations in homologous DNA sequences

===Other sciences===
* [Crystal polymorphism](/source/Crystal_polymorphism), the existence of a solid material in two or more crystal structures, known as polymorphs
* ''Polymorph'', a marketing name for [polycaprolactone](/source/polycaprolactone), a type of thermoplastic which fuses at 60 °C

==Fiction==
* Polymorph, a [shapeshifting](/source/shapeshifting) being in:
** ["Polymorph" (''Red Dwarf'')](/source/Polymorph_(Red_Dwarf)), third episode of series III of the science fiction sitcom
** "[Emohawk: Polymorph II](/source/Emohawk%3A_Polymorph_II)", fourth episode of series VI of the science fiction sitcom
** [''Polymorph'' (novel)](/source/Polymorph_(novel)), a 1997 cyberpunk novel by Scott Westerfeld 
* Polymorph, a magical spell in many fantasy [role-playing game](/source/role-playing_game)s that transforms a target into one of many different creatures for a period of time

==See also==
* {{Intitle}}
* [Dimorphism (disambiguation)](/source/Dimorphism_(disambiguation))
* [Monomorphic (disambiguation)](/source/Monomorphic_(disambiguation))
* [Polymorphism in Lepidoptera](/source/Polymorphism_in_Lepidoptera)
* [Shapeshifter (disambiguation)](/source/Shapeshifter_(disambiguation))

{{disambiguation}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Polymorphism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymorphism?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.