English

Alternative forms

• met- (prevocalic)

Prefix

meta-

1. (anatomy and zoology) Behind [From XIX C.]
2. (botany and zoology) Later or subsequent [From XIX C.]
3. (obsolete, architecture and zoology) Situated between two segments [From XIX C.]
4. (chemistry) Having fewer molecules of water than the ortho- equivalent [From XIX C.]
5. (organic chemistry) in isomeric benzene derivatives, having the two substituents in alternate positions; contrasted with ortho- and para- [From 1833]

Etymology 2

Back-formation from metaphysics.

Prefix

meta-

1. transcending, encompassing
2. Pertaining to a level above or beyond. For example, metadata is data that describes data, metalanguage is language that describes language, etc. [From XVII C.]
3. Having analogies with metaphysics

Etymology 3

Back-formation from metamorphism.

Prefix

meta-

1. (geology) Analogies and derivatives of metamorphism [From XIX C.]

Etymology 4

Back-formation from metastasis.

Prefix

meta-

1. (pathology) Consequent on

Derived terms

Translations

Italian

Prefix

meta-

1. meta-

Spanish

Etymology

From Ancient Greek μετά ‎(metá).

Prefix

meta-

1. meta-

Derived terms