Added 9 October 2026
metamorphosis
/ˌmɛtəˈmɔːfəsɪs/ noun
In Latin: metamorphōsis, trānsfōrmātiō First recorded: 1533 Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about metamorphosis at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals.
-
A striking change in appearance or character or circumstances.
the metamorphosis of the old house into something new and exciting
- A complete change of physical form or substance especially as by magic or witchcraft.
Origin
First attested in 1533, from Latin metamorphōsis, from Ancient Greek μεταμόρφωσις (metamórphōsis), from μετά (metá, “change”) + μορφή (morphḗ, “form”). Analyzable as meta- + -morph + -osis
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)