mesomorphyn.
/ˈmɛsə(ʊ)ˌmɔːfi/, U.S. /ˈmɛzoʊˌmɔrfi/; see also meso- comb. form. 1. Anthropometry. The quality of being mesomorphic; the fact of having a mesomorphic physique. Cf. mesomorphic adj. 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily height > shortness > [noun] > and broadness
dumpiness1824
pugginess1832
punchiness1850
podginess1872
mesomorphy1940
mesomorphism1953
1940 W. H. Sheldon Varieties of Human Physique i. 5 Mesomorphy means relative predominance of muscle, bone, and connective tissue.
1944 A. Huxley Let. 19 July (1969) 508 The massive mixtures of endomorphy and mesomorphy who sing at the opera.
1969 J. F. Downs & H. K. Bleibtreu Human Variation vii. 248 A football player, for example, would be high in mesomorphy.
1992 Cambr. Encycl. Human Evol. (1994) ii. xiii. 104 In this [sc. W. H. Sheldon's] system, everybody is regarded as a mixture of three components of physique, called endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy.
2. Botany. The fact of being mesomorphic in structure. Cf. mesomorphic adj. 4.
ΚΠ
1948 Science 21 May 530/1 Annual species with an axial growth habit..often exhibit an acropetal progression from distinct mesomorphy of lower leaves to comparative xeromorphy of mature upper leaves on the same stem.
1968 Jrnl. Ecol. 56 591 Measurements..reveal an ability to shift from mesomorphy to xeromorphy with reduced nitrogen supply as well as with reduced water supply.
1997 Jrnl. Torrey Bot. Soc. 124 8/1 Features we associate with wood mesomorphy (wide vessels, fewer per unit transection) are characteristic of canopy trees that transpire large quantities of moisture from broad leaf surfaces.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1940