METAMORPHOSIS (metamorphoses)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected form: metamorphoses   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does metamorphosis mean? 

• METAMORPHOSIS (noun)
  The noun METAMORPHOSIS has 3 senses:

1. the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals

2. a striking change in appearance or character or circumstances

3. a complete change of physical form or substance especially as by magic or witchcraft

  Familiarity information: METAMORPHOSIS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• METAMORPHOSIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

metabolism; metamorphosis

Hypernyms ("metamorphosis" is a kind of...):

biological process; organic process (a process occurring in living organisms)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "metamorphosis"):

hemimetabolism; hemimetaboly; hemimetamorphosis (incomplete or partial metamorphosis in insects)

heterometabolism; heterometaboly (development of insects with incomplete metamorphosis in which no pupal stage precedes maturity)

holometabolism; holometaboly (complete metamorphosis in insects)

Derivation:

metamorphic (characterized by metamorphosis or change in physical form or substance)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A striking change in appearance or character or circumstances

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

metamorphosis; transfiguration

Context example:

the metamorphosis of the old house into something new and exciting

Hypernyms ("metamorphosis" is a kind of...):

alteration; revision (the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification))

Sense 3

Meaning:

A complete change of physical form or substance especially as by magic or witchcraft

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("metamorphosis" is a kind of...):

transformation; translation (the act of changing in form or shape or appearance)

Derivation:

metamorphous (produced by metamorphosis)

metamorphous (of or relating to metamorphosis (especially of rocks))

 Context examples 

Three adjoining platelets are shown in the process of viscous metamorphosis (top right).

(Acute Myocardial Infarction Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

As if in reply, the vision underwent a swift metamorphosis.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

My visitor, who had watched these metamorphoses with a keen eye, smiled, set down the glass upon the table, and then turned and looked upon me with an air of scrutiny.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

His father's looks of solemnity and amazement on this his first appearance on any stage, and the gradual metamorphosis of the impassioned Baron Wildenheim into the well-bred and easy Mr. Yates, making his bow and apology to Sir Thomas Bertram, was such an exhibition, such a piece of true acting, as he would not have lost upon any account.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)