What is "anamorphism"

Anamorphism \An`a*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? again + morfh` form.]

1. A distorted image.

2. (Biol.) A gradual progression from one type to another, generally ascending.
   --Huxley.

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

n. (context computer science English) a generalization of the list-producing unfolds known from functional programming to arbitrary abstract data types that can be described as final coalgebras

1. n. the evolution of one type of organism from another by a long series of gradual changes [syn: anamorphosis]

2. metamorphism that occurs deep under the earth's surface; changes simple minerals into complex minerals [ant: katamorphism]

3. a distorted projection or perspective; especially an image distorted in such a way that it becomes visible only when viewed in a special manner [syn: anamorphosis]

In category theory, the concept of anamorphism ("ana" from the Greek = upwards; "morphism" from the Greek = form, shape) denotes a morphism from a coalgebra to the final coalgebra for that endofunctor. These objects have been applied to functional programming as unfolds. The categorical dual of the anamorphism is the catamorphism.