mə̇ˈtastəsə̇s, -ˈtaas- noun
( plural metastases )
Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, transition, from Greek, from methistanai to change, from meta- + histanai to cause to stand, place — more at stand
: change of position, state, or form:
a.
(1) : transfer of a disease-producing agency (as cells or bacteria) from an original site of disease to another part of the body with development of a similar lesion in the new location
metastasis in the lung usually occurs by way of the blood stream — J.B.Amberson
metastases of breast cancer to bone — Medical Physics
— compare cancer , implantation
(2) : a secondary growth resulting from such transfer of cells of a malignant tumor
b. : metabolism 1
c. : a paramorphic change in rock (as recrystallization of limestone or devitrification of glassy rock)