polylithism

programming A property of a data-object that can exist in

many shapes and sizes, but not simultaneously; which

distinguishes it from a union. It is often implemented as a

set of classes (or structs) derived from a common baseclass (or with a common header, as in the case of structs),

typically without any methods.

It has been loosely described as polymorphic data.

[Clarification?]

(1996-01-07)