meta-
change, after, beyond
From Greek meta, among, with, after
Meaning
What does meta- mean?
meta- is a prefix meaning change, after, beyond. It comes from Greek meta, among, with, after.
Inside words it is spelled met.
In cancer, metastasis is a change of place (spread) and metaplasia a change of cell type; both use the change sense.
In real words
Medical words with meta-
the spread of cancer cells or a disease from where it started to another part of the body · In the dictionary
the change of one type of mature cell or tissue into another type · In the dictionary
a marked change in physical form or structure, as when a tadpole becomes a frog · In the dictionary
an immature white blood cell, the stage after the myelocyte, with a kidney-shaped nucleus
distorted vision in which shapes and lines look bent, warped or confusing
Don't mix it up
Parts easily confused with meta-
In the dictionary
More terms built with it
Terms in our life science dictionary that list meta- among their word parts.
Sources
Checked against
Written for biofideX in plain words, after checking these references:
- 1.3 Common Prefixes – Medical Terminology 2e
- Appendix A: Word Parts and What They Mean
- META- Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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Time and direction
meta- is one of 10 parts in this lesson. Learn them together, then take real words apart.
Start the Lesson