metaplasm

[ met-uh-plaz-uhm ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Cell Biology. the nonliving matter or inclusions, as starch or pigments, within a cell.
Grammar.
1. a change in the structure of a word or sentence made by adding, removing, or transposing the sounds or words of which it is composed or the letters that represent them.
2. the formation of oblique cases from a stem other than that of the nominative.

metaplasm

/ ˈmɛtəˌplæzəm /

noun

the nonliving constituents, such as starch and pigment granules, of the cytoplasm of a cell

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Derived Forms

ˌmetaˈplasmic, adjective

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Other Words From

meta·plasmic adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of metaplasm¹

1375–1425; late Middle English metaplasmus “grammatical change, irregularity” < Latin < Greek metaplasmós “reforming, remodeling,” derivative of metaplássein “to mold differently, remodel.” See meta-, -plasm

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Example Sentences

Each metaplasm in the body favors the inactive break-up of protoplasm, and so also the formation of new metaplasms.

From Project Gutenberg

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