[a. Gr. ἀναμόρφωσις transformation, n. of action f. ἀναμορφό-ειν to transform, f. ἀνά back, again + μορφό-ειν to form, f. μορφή form. Still by some pronounced anamorphō·sis, after the Gr. ω. Cf. metamorphosis.]
1. A distorted projection or drawing of anything, so made that when viewed from a particular point, or by reflection from a suitable mirror, it appears regular and properly proportioned; a deformation.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., To draw the Anamorphosis, or deformation of an image, upon the convex surface of a cone.
1816. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 273. It was to correct their anamorphosis of the Deity, that Jesus preached.
1846. Joyce, Sci. Dial., xiv. 306. These images are called anamorphoses.
1873. Athenæum, 25 Jan., 120/2. This bewildering object is undoubtedly an anamorphosis of a human skull.
2. Bot. Such a degeneration or change in the habit of a plant from different conditions of growth, as gives it the appearance of a different species or genus; abnormal transformation. Chiefly said of cryptogams, as fungi, lichens and sea-weeds.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 55. The state of anamorphosis, or … that remarkable distension or increase of the cellular tissue of vegetables, from which the name of succulent is derived.
1857. Berkeley, Cryptog. Bot., § 446. That genus [Chroolepus] may be a mere anamorphosis of the crust of Lichens.
3. Repetition of the same form at a later stage of development; return to an earlier form. rare.
1862. R. G. Latham, Elem. Comp. Philol., 701 (L.). There is no such thing in languague as a true anamorphosis, i. e. a simple repetition of the same forms.
4. = ANAMORPHISM 2.
1852. Huxley, in Phil. Trans., CXLIII. i. 63. Whether true anamorphosis ever occurs in the whole animal kingdom.
