metamorphosis
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ˌmɛtəˈmɔːfəsɪs/, /ˌmɛtəmɔːˈfəʊsɪs/
  • (GA) IPA: /ˌmɛɾəˈmɔɹfəsɪs/
Noun

metamorphosis

  1. A transformation, such as one performed by magic.
    • 1626 April 30, James Howell, “XXVIII. To Mr. R. L. Merchant.”, in Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters Domestic and Forren. […], volume I, 3rd edition, London: Printed for Humphrey Mos[e]ley, […], published 1655, OCLC 84295516 ↗, section IV, [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015049862587;view=1up;seq=199 page 179]:
      I wonder’d at ſuch a Metamorphoſis in ſo ſhort a time, he told me, ’twas for the death of his Wife, that Nature had thus antedated his Years ; ’tis true, that a weighty ſetled ſorrow is of that force, that beſides the contraction of the Spirits, it will work upon the radical moiſture, and dry it up, ſo that the Hair can have no moiſture at the Root.
  2. A noticeable change in character, appearance, function or condition.
  3. (biology) A change in the form and often habits of an animal after the embryonic stage during normal development. (e.g. the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly or a tadpole into a frog.)
  4. (pathology) A change in the structure of a specific body tissue. Usually degenerative.
Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • Portuguese: alomorfia
  • Russian: метаморфо́за



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