Word Study
meta-
CIDE DICTIONARY
meta-, [Gr. meta` between, with, after; akin to AS. mid with, G. mit, Goth. miþ, E. mid, in midwife.].
- A prefix meaning
between ,with ,after ,behind ,over ,about ,reversely ; as, metachronism, the error of placing after the correct time; metaphor, lit., a carrying over; metathesis, a placing reversely. [1913 Webster] -
Other ;duplicate ,corresponding to ;resembling ; hence,metameric ; as, meta-arabinic, metaldehyde. [1913 Webster] - A prefix meaning
at a level above , as in metaphysics, metalanguage. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
meta-, comb. form (usu. met- before a vowel or h)
1 denoting change of position or condition (metabolism).
2 denoting position: a behind. b after or beyond (metaphysics; metacarpus). c of a higher or second-order kind (metalanguage).
3 Chem. a relating to two carbon atoms separated by one other in a benzene ring. b relating to a compound formed by dehydration (metaphosphate).
1 denoting change of position or condition (metabolism).
2 denoting position: a behind. b after or beyond (metaphysics; metacarpus). c of a higher or second-order kind (metalanguage).
3 Chem. a relating to two carbon atoms separated by one other in a benzene ring. b relating to a compound formed by dehydration (metaphosphate).
Etymology
Gk meta-, met-, meth- f. meta with, after
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