metamorphic

[ met-uh-mawr-fik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by change of form, or metamorphosis.
2. Geology. pertaining to or exhibiting structural change or metamorphism.

metamorphic

/ ˌmɛtəˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or resulting from metamorphosis or metamorphism
2. (of rocks) altered considerably from their original structure and mineralogy by pressure and heat Compare igneous sedimentary

metamorphic

/ mĕt′ə-môr′fĭk /

1. Zoology.
   Relating to metamorphosis.
2. Geology.
   Relating to rocks that have undergone metamorphism. Metamorphic rocks are formed when igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks undergo a physical change due to extreme heat and pressure. These changes often produce folded layers or banding in the rocks, and they can also cause pockets of precious minerals to form. The folds and banding can be produced by incomplete segregation of minerals during recrystallization, or they can be inherited from preexisting beds in sedimentary rocks or preexisting layers in igneous rocks. The precious minerals can form as the result of recrystallization when the rocks undergoing metamorphism are subjected to changes in pressure and temperature.

Other Words From

• nonmet·a·morphic adjective
• premet·a·morphic adjective
• unmet·a·morphic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metamorphic¹

First recorded in 1810–20; meta- + -morphic

Example Sentences

While Schindler takes a philosophical view of physical change, other participants highlight the metamorphic quality of their artistic methods.

From Washington Post

Thus, after the Capitol was burned during the War of 1812, reconstruction made use of marble — a harder, metamorphic rock found on the upper Potomac.

From Washington Post

It’s an often overlooked area full of bizarre rock features, metamorphic leftovers, and historic trails, and with only an eighth of Yellowstone’s annual visitation, it’s ripe for discovery.

From Outside Online

She has been working with David Baker at the University of Washington on designing metamorphic proteins not seen in nature.

From Quanta Magazine

These metamorphic proteins change quickly and reversibly from one folded shape to another inside organisms.

From Quanta Magazine

The "erratics" comprised a great variety of metamorphic and igneous rocks, and, on a more limited scale, sedimentary types.

From Project Gutenberg

The rock here is metamorphic, the soil worthless, the scenery rugged, yet mean.

From Project Gutenberg

It occurs in beds (talc-slate), and is often met with in districts occupied by metamorphic crystalline rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, highly micaceous sandstones, as they are traced into a metamorphic region, are seen to pass gradually into mica-schist.

From Project Gutenberg

There are a number of other metamorphic rocks, but those mentioned are the most commonly occurring species.

From Project Gutenberg