mesomorphic

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌmɛzəˈmɔɹfɪk/, /ˌmɛsəˈmɔɹfɪk/

• Rhymes: -ɔː(r)fɪk

Etymology 1

From mesomorph +‎ -ic.

Adjective

mesomorphic (comparative more mesomorphic, superlative most mesomorphic)

1. Of or pertaining to a mesomorph.
   • 1993, Henry B. Biller, Fathers and Families: Paternal Factors in Child Development, page 155,

     For instance, compared to the typical ectomorphic or endomorphic child, the mesomorphic boy or girl may have more energy and a greater motivation for vigorous play with peers.

   • 2005, Bruce Abernethy, The Biophysical Foundations of Human Movement, page 37,

     An average man is more mesomorphic than the phantom whereas the average woman is more endomorphic than the phantom (see figure 3.2).

   • 2009, Timothy R. Ackland, Bruce Elliott, John Bloomfield, Applied Anatomy and Biomechanics in Sport, page 62,

     Players in the best teams were less endomorphic and more mesomorphic than those in the worst teams, but forwards and backs in the best teams did not differ in somatotype.

Etymology 2

From meso- +‎ -morphic.

Adjective

mesomorphic (not comparable)

1. (chemistry, physics) Of or pertaining to phases of matter intermediate between solid and liquid; of or pertaining to liquid crystals.
   • 1958, Chemical Society (Great Britain), G. W. Gray, Steric Effects in Conjugated Systems, page 161,

     Changes in the chemical constitution of a mesomorphic compound may therefore radically alter the mesomorphic properties and thermal stabilities.

   • 1993, Nikolaĭ Alʹfredovich Platė (editor, original Russian edition), S. L. Schnur (translator), Liquid-Crystal Polymers, page 132,

     This x-ray is typical of mesomorphic structures which occupy an intermediate position between crystalline and amorphous with respect to the degree of order.

   • 2007, Gert R. Strobl, The Physics of Polymers: Concepts for Understanding Their Structures and Behavior, page 200,

     The thermodynamic conditions under which such a mesomorphic phase can interfere and affect the crystallization process are described in Fig. 5.40.

Anagrams

• homospermic