Etymology
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anamorphosis (n.)

"distorted projection or drawing" (one that looks normal from a particular angle or with a certain mirror), 1727, from Greek anamorphōsis "transformation," noun of action from anamorphoein "to transform," from ana "up" (see ana-) + morphōsis, from morphē "form," a word of uncertain etymology. In botany, "monstrous development of a part" (1830); in evolutionary biology, "gradual change of form in a species over time" (1852).

Entries linking to anamorphosis

ana- 

before vowels an-, word-forming element meaning: 1. "upward, up in place or time," 2. "back, backward, against," 3. "again, anew," from Greek ana (prep.) "up, on, upon; up to, toward; throughout; back, backwards; again, anew," from an extended form of PIE root *an- (1) "on, upon, above" (see on, which is the English cognate). In old medical prescriptions, ana by itself meant "an equal quantity of each."

anamorphic (adj.)

"distorted, relating to distortion," 1904, in geology in reference to certain metamorphic rocks; see anamorphosis + -ic. Cinematographic use dates from 1954 in reference to lenses to fit wide-screen pictures onto standard screens.

anamorphism (n.)

"distorted projection or perspective," 1836; see anamorphosis + -ism.

updated on September 20, 2022

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Dictionary entries near anamorphosis

anamnesis

anamnestic

anamniotic

anamorphic

anamorphism

anamorphosis

anan

ananda

Ananias

ananym

anapeiratic

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper