| meta- or (sometimes before a vowel) met- |
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| —prefix |
| 1. | indicating change, alteration, or alternation: metabolism; metamorphosis |
| 2. | See also metatheory (of an academic discipline, esp philosophy) concerned with the concepts and results of the named discipline: metamathematics; meta-ethics |
| 3. | occurring or situated behind or after: metaphase |
| 4. | (often in italics) ortho- Compare para- m- denoting that an organic compound contains a benzene ring with substituents in the 1,3-positions: metadinitrobenzene; meta-cresol |
| 5. | denoting an isomer, polymer, or compound related to a specified compound (often differing from similar compounds that are prefixed by para-): metaldehyde |
| 6. | Compare ortho- denoting an oxyacid that is a lower hydrated form of the anhydride or a salt of such an acid: metaphosphoric acid |
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| [Greek, from meta with, after, between, among. Compare Old English mid, mith with, Old Norse meth with, between] |
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| met- or (sometimes before a vowel) met- |
| |
| —prefix |
| |
| [Greek, from meta with, after, between, among. Compare Old English mid, mith with, Old Norse meth with, between] |
