Metamorphosis
/ˌmɛtəˈmɔːrfəsɪs/noun
A profound change in form, structure, or substance.
Did you know?In ancient myth, metamorphosis was often linked to divine intervention, where gods transformed mortals into creatures or plants as a form of punishment or blessing.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“to change, to exchange”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μεταμόρφωσις (metamórphōsis)
“a transformation, a change of shape”
Late Latin
Latin
metamorphosis
“a change of form or shape, often with mystical implications”
Middle English
English
metamorfoze
“to change or transform, especially in a magical context”
Modern English
English
metamorphosis
“a significant change, particularly in biological or metaphorical terms”
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