metamorphosis

[met-uh-mawr-fuh-sis]

noun

plural

metamorphoses 

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.

   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

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 Word Forms

• nonmetamorphosis noun

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

Less discussed has been Milioti’s metamorphosis into the internally and externally scarred Sofia, hard as Gotham’s most brutal gangsters and free of the ties of conscience that could bind vengeful hands.

From Los Angeles Times

"Just like butterflies, corals also undergo different metamorphoses and stages."

From BBC

In a period of grand expansion, Disneyland would start to become a proper resort — a metamorphosis that, while it didn’t work immediately, would be course-corrected and set up Disneyland for a new generation of growth.

From Los Angeles Times

Jack Milne, heroic at the heart of an Aberdeen defence that performed a miraculous metamorphosis from mistake-ridden chumps to hugely resilient champs.

From BBC

"Hacks" has carved out a special spotlight for DJ’s growth over the past four seasons, and Olson has brought a light pathos to her character’s metamorphosis.

From Salon

Related Words

• evolution 
• rebirth