metamorphosis

metamorphosis [met΄əmôr′fə sis, met΄əmôr fō′sis]

n.

pl. metamorphoses [met΄ə môr′fəsēz΄, met΄ə môr fōsēz΄] [L < Gr metamorphōsis < metamorphoun, to transform, transfigure < meta, over (see META-) + morphē, form, shape]

1.

a) change of form, shape, structure, or substance; transformation, as, in myths, by magic or sorcery

b) the form resulting from such change

2. a marked or complete change of character, appearance, condition, etc.

3. Biol. a change in form, structure, or function as a result of development; specif., the physical transformation, more or less sudden, undergone by various animals during development after the embryonic state, as of the larva of an insect to the pupa and the pupa to the adult, or of the tadpole to the frog

4. Med. a pathological change of form of some tissues