Word Study
metamorphic
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective metamorphic has 2 senses
- metamorphic(a = adj.pert) metamorphous - of or relating to metamorphosis (especially of rocks); "metamorphic stage"; "marble is a metamorphic rock that takes a high polish"
- metamorphic(a = adj.all) Array - characterized by metamorphosis or change in physical form or substance; Array Derived form noun metamorphosis1
Antonym: nonmetamorphic
CIDE DICTIONARY
metamorphic, a. [See Metamorphosis.].
- Subject to change; changeable; variable. [1913 Webster]
- Causing a change of structure. [1913 Webster]
- Pertaining to, produced by, or exhibiting, certain changes which minerals or rocks may have undergone since their original deposition; -- especially applied to the recrystallization which sedimentary rocks have undergone through the influence of heat and pressure, after which they are called metamorphic rocks. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
metamorphic, adj.
1 of or marked by metamorphosis.
2 Geol. (of rock) that has undergone transformation by natural agencies such as heat and pressure.
1 of or marked by metamorphosis.
2 Geol. (of rock) that has undergone transformation by natural agencies such as heat and pressure.
Derivative
metamorphism n.
Etymology
META- + Gk morphe form
THESAURUS
metamorphic
able to adapt, adaptable, adjustable, allotropic, alterable, alterative, anabolic, catabolic, catalytic, changeable, checkered, diversiform, ever-changing, flexible, fluid, heteromorphic, heteromorphous, impermanent, kaleidoscopic, malleable, manifold, many-sided, metabolic, metamorphotic, metastatic, mobile, modifiable, movable, multifarious, multifold, multiform, multiphase, multiple, multiplex, mutable, nonuniform, permutable, plastic, polymorphic, polymorphous, protean, proteiform, resilient, rubbery, supple, transient, transitory, variable
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