Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

metamorphism

 - 3 dictionary results

met⋅a⋅mor⋅phism

[met-uh-mawr-fiz-uhm]
–noun
1. Geology. a change in the structure or constitution of a rock due to natural agencies, as pressure and heat, esp. when the rock becomes harder and more completely crystalline.
2. Archaic. metamorphosis.

Origin:
1835–45; meta- + -morphism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To metamorphism
met·a·mor·phism   (mět'ə-môr'fĭz'əm)   
n.  The process by which rocks are altered in composition, texture, or internal structure by extreme heat, pressure, and the introduction of new chemical substances.

[metamorph(ic) + -ism.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Science Dictionary
metamorphism   (mět'ə-môr'fĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
The process by which rocks are changed in composition, texture, or structure by extreme heat and pressure. ◇ In prograde metamorphism metamorphic rocks that were formed under low pressure and temperature conditions undergo a second metamorphic event in which they are exposed to higher pressures and temperatures. ◇ In retrograde metamorphism metamorphic rocks that were formed under high pressure and temperature conditions undergo a second metamorphic event in which they are exposed to lower pressures and temperatures. See more at contact metamorphism, regional metamorphism.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see metamorphism on Thesaurus | Reference