Meta- - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: Meta-

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

meta-

1.	a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, with the meanings “after,” “along with,” “beyond,” “among,” “behind,” and productive in English on the Greek model: metacarpus; metagenesis; metalinguistics.

Chemistry.

a.	(of acids, salts, or their organic derivatives) a prefix denoting the least hydrated of a series: meta-antimonic, HSbO₃; meta-antimonous, HSbO₂. Compare ortho-, pyro-.

b.	a prefix designating the meta position in the benzene ring. Abbreviation: m-. Compare ortho-, para-¹.

Also, especially before a vowel, met-.

[Origin: < Gk, prefix and prep.; c. OE mid with, G mit, Goth mith

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Meta-

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

meta- or met-
pref.

1. Later in time: metestrus.
2. At a later stage of development: metanephros.
3. Change; transformation: metachromatism.
4. Alternation: metagenesis.
5. Beyond; transcending; more comprehensive: metalinguistics.
6. At a higher state of development: metazoan.
7. Derivative or related chemical substance: metaprotein.
8. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom: meta-dibromobenzene.
Situated behind: metacarpus.
1. Change; transformation: metachromatism.
2. Alternation: metagenesis.
3. Beyond; transcending; more comprehensive: metalinguistics.
4. At a higher state of development: metazoan.
5. Derivative or related chemical substance: metaprotein.
6. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom: meta-dibromobenzene.
1. Beyond; transcending; more comprehensive: metalinguistics.
2. At a higher state of development: metazoan.
3. Derivative or related chemical substance: metaprotein.
4. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom: meta-dibromobenzene.
Having undergone metamorphosis: metasomatic.
1. Derivative or related chemical substance: metaprotein.
2. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom: meta-dibromobenzene.

[Greek, from meta, beside, after; see me-² in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
meta-

prefix meaning 1. "after, behind," 2. "changed, altered," 3. "higher, beyond," from Gk. meta (prep.) "in the midst of, among, with, after," from PIE *me- "in the middle" (cf. Goth. miþ, O.E. mið "with, together with, among," see mid). Notion of "changing places with" probably led to senses "change of place, order, or nature," which was the principal meaning of the Gk. word when used as a prefix. Third sense, "higher, beyond," is due to misinterpretation of metaphysics (q.v.) as "transcending physical science."

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Meta, MO (city, FIPS 47594) Location: 38.31240 N, 92.16657 W
Population (1990): 249 (123 housing units)
Area: 0.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 65058

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Meta-

Met"a-\, Met- \Met-\ [Gr. ? between, with, after; akin to AS. mid with, G. mit, Goth. mi[thorn], E. mid, in midwife.]

1. A prefix meaning between, with, after, behind, over, about, reversely; as, metachronism, the error of placing after the correct time; metaphor, lit., a carrying over; metathesis, a placing reversely.

2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting: (a) Other; duplicate, corresponding to; resembling; hence, metameric; as, meta-arabinic, metaldehyde. (b) (Organic Chem.) That two replacing radicals, in the benzene nucleus, occupy the relative positions of 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 3 and 5, 4 and 6, 5 and 1, or 6 and 2; as, metacresol, etc. See Ortho-, and Para-. (c) (Inorganic Chem.) Having less than the highest number of hydroxyl groups; -- said of acids; as, metaphosphoric acid. Also used adjectively.

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