Word Meanings - METAMORPHOSIS - Book Publishers vocabulary database

A change in the form or function of a living organism, by a natural process of growth or development; as, the metamorphosis of the yolk into the embryo, of a tadpole into a frog, or of a bud into a blossom. Especially, that form of sexual

Additional info about word: METAMORPHOSIS

A change in the form or function of a living organism, by a natural process of growth or development; as, the metamorphosis of the yolk into the embryo, of a tadpole into a frog, or of a bud into a blossom. Especially, that form of sexual reproduction in which an embryo undergoes a series of marked changes of external form, as the chrysalis stage, pupa stage, etc., in insects. In these intermediate stages sexual reproduction is usually impossible, but they ultimately pass into final and sexually developed forms, from the union of which organisms are produced which pass through the same cycle of changes. See Transformation. (more info) 1. Change of form, or structure; transformation.

Related words: (words related to METAMORPHOSIS)

• LIVINGLY
  In a living state. Sir T. Browne.
• LIVELY
  1. Endowed with or manifesting life; living. Chaplets of gold and silver resembling lively flowers and leaves. Holland. 2. Brisk; vivacious; active; as, a lively youth. But wherefore comes old Manoa in such haste, With youthful steps Much livelier
• LIVRAISON
  A part of a book or literary composition printed and delivered by itself; a number; a part.
• LIVINGNESS
  The state or quality of being alive; possession of energy or vigor; animation; quickening.
• EMBRYO SAC
  See EMBRYONIC
• LIVED
  Having life; -- used only in composition; as, long-lived; short-lived.
• LIVE
  liven, livien, AS. libban, lifian; akin to OS. libbian, D. leven, G. leben, OHG. lebn, Dan. leve, Sw. lefva, Icel. lifa to live, to be left, to remain, Goth. liban to live; akin to E. leave to forsake, and life, Gr. lip to anoint, smear; -- the
• NATURALIST
  1. One versed in natural science; a student of natural history, esp. of the natural history of animals. 2. One who holds or maintains the doctrine of naturalism in religion. H. Bushnell.
• EMBRYOTOMY
  The cutting a fetus into pieces within the womb, so as to effect its removal.
• EMBRYON
  See EMBRYO
• NATURAL STEEL
  Steel made by the direct refining of cast iron in a finery, or, as wootz, by a direct process from the ore.
• CHANGEFUL
  Full of change; mutable; inconstant; fickle; uncertain. Pope. His course had been changeful. Motley. -- Change"ful*ly, adv. -- Change"ful*ness, n.
• PROCESSIVE
  Proceeding; advancing. Because it is language, -- ergo, processive. Coleridge.
• LIVERWORT
  1. A ranunculaceous plant with pretty white or bluish flowers and a three-lobed leaf; -- called also squirrel cups. 2. A flowerless plant , having an irregularly lobed, spreading, and forking frond. Note: From this plant many others of the same
• PROCESSIONALIST
  One who goes or marches in a procession.
• EMBRYOGRAPHY
  The general description of embryos.
• LIVING PICTURE
  A tableau in which persons take part; also, specif., such a tableau as imitating a work of art.
• DEVELOPMENT
  The series of changes which animal and vegetable organisms undergo in their passage from the embryonic state to maturity, from a lower to a higher state of organization. The act or process of changing or expanding an expression into another
• FUNCTION; FUNCTIONATE
  To execute or perform a function; to transact one's regular or appointed business.
• EMBRYOTROPH
  The material from which an embryo is formed and nourished.
• DELIVERANCE
  Any fact or truth which is decisively attested or intuitively known as a psychological or philosophical datum; as, the deliverance of consciousness. (more info) 1. The act of delivering or freeing from restraint, captivity, peril, and the like;
• SUPERNATURALNESS
  The quality or state of being supernatural.
• REDELIVER
  1. To deliver or give back; to return. Ay 2. To deliver or liberate a second time or again. 3. To report; to deliver the answer of. "Shall I redeliver you e'en so" Shak.
• OLIVARY
  Like an olive. Olivary body , an oval prominence on each side of the medulla oblongata; -- called also olive.
• PRETERNATURALITY
  Preternaturalness. Dr. John Smith.
• PROEMBRYO
  The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering plant after fertilization, but before the formation of the embryo. The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses.
• OLIVINE
  A common name of the yellowish green mineral chrysolite, esp. the variety found in eruptive rocks.
• COD LIVER
  The liver of the common cod and allied species. Cod-liver oil, an oil obtained fron the liver of the codfish, and used extensively in medicine as a means of supplying the body with fat in cases of malnutrition.
• OLIVERIAN
  An adherent of Oliver Cromwell. Macaulay.
• ASEXUALIZATION
  The act or process of sterilizing an animal or human being, as by vasectomy.