metaplasm

noun

meta·​plasm
plural -s
1
[Latin metaplasmus, literally, transformation, from Greek metaplasmos, from metaplassein to remold, from meta- + plassein to mold] : alteration of regular verbal, grammatical, or rhetorical structure usually by transposition of the letters or syllables of a word or of the words in a sentence
2
[International Scientific Vocabulary meta- + -plasm; originally formed as German metaplasma] : material consisting of lifeless derivatives of protoplasm (as cell walls, starch grains)
metaplasmic
¦⸗⸗¦plazmik
adjective

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near metaplasm

Cite this Entry

“Metaplasm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metaplasm. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!