1839, colloquial mangling of hermaphrodite based on morpho-. An earlier mangling was mophrodite (1706); also see dyke.

"morphine" in Latin form, 1818; see morphine.

in Haeckel's system, biological development of the forms of organisms, 1851; see morpho- + -geny.

1824 in biology, "science of the outer form and inner structure of animals and plants," from German Morphologie (1817); see morpho- "shape" + -logy "study of." By 1869 in philology, "science of structure or forms in language." General sense of "shape, form, external structure or arrangement" is by 1890. Related: Morphological; morphologist. Related: Morphologist.

"mode of formation of an organ or organism," 1857, from German (by 1825), from Greek morphōsis "a forming, a shaping," from morphē "form, shape; outward appearance," a word of uncertain etymology.