metamorphosis

[ met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis ]

noun

, plural met·a·mor·pho·ses [met-, uh, -, mawr, -f, uh, -seez].

1. Biology. a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly. Compare complete metamorphosis.

   Antonyms: stasis

2. a complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft.

   Synonyms: transmutation, mutation

   Antonyms: stasis

3. any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc.
4. a form resulting from any such change.
5. Pathology.
   1. a type of alteration or degeneration in which tissues are changed:

      fatty metamorphosis of the liver.

   2. the resultant form.
6. Botany. the structural or functional modification of a plant organ or structure during its development.

metamorphosis

/ ˌmɛtəˈmɔːfəsɪs /

noun

1. a complete change of physical form or substance
2. a complete change of character, appearance, etc
3. a person or thing that has undergone metamorphosis
4. zoology the rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in certain animals, for example the stage between tadpole and frog or between chrysalis and butterfly

metamorphosis

/ mĕt′ə-môr′fə-sĭs /

1. Dramatic change in the form and often the habits of an animal during its development after birth or hatching. The transformation of a maggot into an adult fly and of a tadpole into an adult frog are examples of metamorphosis. The young of such animals are called larvae.

metamorphosis

1. A change in an animal as it grows, particularly a radical change, such as the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly.

Other Words From

• nonmet·a·morpho·sis noun plural nonmetamorphoses

Word History and Origins

Origin of metamorphosis¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from New Latin metamorphōsis, from Greek metamórphōsis “transformation”; equivalent to meta- + -morph + -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of metamorphosis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: transformation, from meta- + morphē form

Example Sentences

After Edward elects to undergo an experimental medical treatment, he begins to transform — his old face literally crumbles off — and the theme accentuates his melancholy and metamorphosis with dark beauty and sludgy textures.

From Los Angeles Times

This was perhaps her final makeover, a metamorphosis which firmly established her as the enigmatic diva we know today.

From BBC

“The truth is I wrote these songs from my experience of my whole life going through this metamorphosis. And he was one of the people to help facilitate all that.”

From Los Angeles Times

His daytime success and primetime failure illustrates the American media’s metamorphosis – a metamorphosis that inflicts immeasurable damage on public debate, and the democracy that it is supposed to enhance.

From Salon

When it came to the king, Mr. Yeo told The Times that he had noticed physical changes in their four sittings together — during which time the king was going through a metamorphosis of stature.

From New York Times

Related Words

• evolution
• rebirth