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metamorphic

 [met-uh-mawr-fik]   Example Sentences Origin

met·a·mor·phic

   [met-uh-mawr-fik]
adjective
1.
pertaining to or characterized by change of form, or metamorphosis.
2.
Geology. pertaining to or exhibiting structural change or metamorphism.
Origin:
1810–20; meta- + -morphic

Related forms
non·met·a·mor·phic, adjective
pre·met·a·mor·phic, adjective
un·met·a·mor·phic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Metamorphic is always a great word to know.
So is core. Does it mean:
central portion of the earth believed to be composed mainly of iron and nickel in a molten state
process where the surface of the earth is worn away by the action of water, glaciers, winds, waves
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example Sentences
  • Metamorphic and igneous rocks here show extremely complex structure, which represents a geologic history told in many chapters.
  • Metamorphic rock with interlocking quartz grains displaying a mosaic texture.
Collins
World English Dictionary
metamorphic or metamorphous (ˌmɛtəˈmɔːfɪk)
 
—adj
1.  relating to or resulting from metamorphosis or metamorphism
2.  igneous Compare sedimentary (of rocks) altered considerably from their original structure and mineralogy by pressure and heat
 
metamorphous or metamorphous
 
—adj

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

metamorphic
in geological sense, 1833, in Lyell, from metamorphosis. Rock whose form has been changed by heat or pressure.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
metamorphic   (mět'ə-môr'fĭk)  Pronunciation Key 

  1. Zoology Relating to metamorphosis.

  2. Geology Relating to rocks that have undergone metamorphism. Metamorphic rocks are formed when igneous, sedimentary, or other metamorphic rocks undergo a physical change due to extreme heat and pressure. These changes often produce folded layers or banding in the rocks, and they can also cause pockets of precious minerals to form. The folds and banding can be produced by incomplete segregation of minerals during recrystallization, or they can be inherited from preexisting beds in sedimentary rocks or preexisting layers in igneous rocks. The precious minerals can form as the result of recrystallization when the rocks undergoing metamorphism are subjected to changes in pressure and temperature.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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