metamorphosis
/ˌmetəˈmɔːfəsəs/meh-tuh-MAWR-fuh-suhs
/ˌmɛtəˈmɔɹfəsəs/meh-tuh-MAWR-fuh-suhs
Meaninga change of shape
Common meaning: a complete change of form
- metaacross, beyond, changed
- morphshape, formLiddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon (1883), p. 979 · scan
- splural ending
- isGreek noun ending marking an act or process
‘across, beyond, changed’ + ‘shape, form’ → metamorphosis
Sources & notes
Meaning: “Meaning” is the sense that emerges from the word’s roots; “Common meaning” is today’s everyday sense. Both written by us.
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: converted from the US form by rule (unchecked). Respelling: generated.
- No UK recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-GB voice.
- US IPA: CMUdict (BSD-2), converted to IPA by rule. Respelling: generated.
- No US recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-US voice.
Origin: Built on Greek μορφή ‘shape, form’.
Did you know: our wording, based on Liddell & Scott, Greek-English Lexicon (1883), entry μορφή, p. 979 · dictionary scan
Roots
- μορφή Greek “shape, form”
Related words
Building blocks are an automatic split · open in app