pseudomorphic
- adjective
- /ˌsuːdəˈmɔrfɪk/
- Specialized
- The mineral appeared to be quartz, but its pseudomorphic structure revealed a different origin.
Examples
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The artist created a pseudomorphic sculpture that looked like wood but was actually made of metal.
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The pseudomorphic crystal resembled a more common mineral.
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Some modern buildings use pseudomorphic designs to mimic historical styles without using traditional materials.
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Is that a pseudomorphic specimen or a genuine one?
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The mineral appeared to be quartz, but its pseudomorphic structure revealed a different origin.
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The artist created a pseudomorphic sculpture that looked like wood but was actually made of metal.
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Some modern buildings use pseudomorphic designs to mimic historical styles while employing contemporary materials.
Synonyms
1
9.8
Similar in shape or look but different inside, like two plants with different genes
Similar in appearance but different in origin
Antonyms
How Similar
Surface Forms
Morphology
pseudomorphic = pseudomorph (semi-transparent) = pseudo + morph + ic
The adjective is transparently formed from the noun 'pseudomorph' plus '-ic', but the technical mineralogical sense may not be fully recoverable for an average learner.
Etymology
Pseudomorphic comes from pseudo- meaning 'false' and -morphic meaning 'shape' or 'form', so it literally means a 'false shape'. That's why a pseudomorphic thing looks like one material or form on the outside while it is really different inside, a word often used for minerals, art, and building designs.