METAMORPHIC

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does metamorphic mean? 

• METAMORPHIC (adjective)
  The adjective METAMORPHIC has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to metamorphosis (especially of rocks)

2. characterized by metamorphosis or change in physical form or substance

  Familiarity information: METAMORPHIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• METAMORPHIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to metamorphosis (especially of rocks)

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

metamorphic; metamorphous

Context example:

marble is a metamorphic rock that takes a high polish

Pertainym:

metamorphosis (the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by metamorphosis or change in physical form or substance

Similar:

epimorphic (characterized by incomplete metamorphosis; having the same number of body segments in successive stages)

hemimetabolic; hemimetabolous; hemimetamorphic; hemimetamorphous ((of an insect with aquatic young) undergoing incomplete metamorphosis in which the young does not resemble the adult)

heterometabolic; heterometabolous ((of an insect) undergoing incomplete metamorphosis in which the nymph is essentially like the adult and there is no pupal stage)

holometabolic; holometabolous ((of an insect) undergoing complete metamorphosis)

metamorphous (produced by metamorphosis)

changed (changed in constitution or structure or composition by metamorphism)

Antonym:

nonmetamorphic (not metamorphic)

Derivation:

metamorphosis (the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals)

 Context examples 

A naturally occurring, bright green, fibrous amphibole asbestos mineral found in metamorphic rocks and as a contaminant in amosite asbestos.

(Actinolite Asbestos, NCI Thesaurus)