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Shapeshift vs Polymorph - What's the difference?

shapeshift | polymorph |

As verbs the difference between shapeshift and polymorph

is that shapeshift is to change one's shape or form into another through often magical means, normally applied only to living beings while polymorph is to transform; to change into another form.

As a noun polymorph is

(biology) any organism that shows polymorphism.

shapeshift

English

Verb

  • to change one's shape or form into another through often magical means, normally applied only to living beings.
  • (figuratively) to undergo a noticeable change (in character for example), to metamorphosize

    • polymorph

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia polymorph) (en noun)
  • (biology) Any organism that shows polymorphism
  • (chemistry, geology) Any substance or mineral that forms different types of crystal

    • Derived terms

    * polymorphic

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To transform; to change into another form.
  • (transitive, video games, roguelikes) To transform (an item or creature) into something different by magic.
  • * 1999 , "Robin Johnson", My gnomish healer has been having a rough time of it'' (on newsgroup ''rec.games.roguelike.nethack )
    • I got hemmed in by the werewolf again and, in desperation, tried an experimental new wand on it; and polymorphed it into a black pudding.