amor·phous\əˈmȯrfəs, -ȯ(ə)f-\
adjectivealso amor·phose \-ˌfōs\
Etymology: Greek
amorphos, from
a- a- (II) +
morphē form — more at
form
1. a. : without definite form or shape
: formless
< an amorphous cloud of dust > < an amorphous mass > b. : without clearly drawn limits
: not precisely indicated or established
< an amorphous boundary > c. : without definite nature or character
: not allowing clear classification or analysis
: unclassifiable
< cities having swollen into amorphous agglomerations — Siegfried Giedion > < that indefinite amorphous thing called the consuming public — John Dewey > d. : without organization
: without cohesion
: lacking unity
< an amorphous mass of frightened fugitives — J.W.Aldridge > < an amorphous style of writing > e. : without a clearly defined direction, purpose, or controlling influence
< lifeless and amorphous routine — Phyllis Ackerman > < growth is not amorphous, but restricted by a limited number of physical laws — Herbert Read >2. a. (1) : without real or apparent crystalline form
: uncrystallized
— used especially of supercooled liquids (as glasses) and colloidal substances
< amorphous sulfur > < wax > (2) : without crystal structure
< an amorphous mineral > b. : without division in parts such as that effected by stratification or cleavage
c. : without developed organization — used chiefly of the lower forms of life
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amor·phous·ly adverb•
amor·phous·ness noun -es