ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈmȯ(r)fəsə̇s sometimes -ˌmȯ(r)ˈfōs- noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek metamorphōsis, from metamorphoun to transform, from meta- change, transformation (from meta with, between, after) + morphē form — more at meta- , form
1.
a. : change of physical form or substance ; especially : such a change brought about by or as if by supernatural means
the metamorphosis of men into animals
b. : a striking alteration (as in appearance, character, or circumstances)
metamorphosis of the old house which he had inherited — Claud Phillimore
the prospect of facing his … family and guests in this new metamorphosis — David Walden
2.
a. : a marked and more or less abrupt change in the form or structure of an animal during postembryonic development (as when the larva of an insect becomes a pupa or a tadpole changes into a frog)
metamorphosis of a butterfly
— compare epimorphosis
b. : the sum of the various modifications whether phylogenetic or primarily ontogenetic through which a primitive plant structure may pass in the course of its development
c. archaic : evolutionary change or modification of form over the centuries
3.
a. : transformation of one kind of tissue into another
metamorphosis of cartilage into bone
b. : tissue degeneration marked by conversion of tissues or structures into other material
fatty metamorphosis of the liver
4.
a. : a chemical change (as oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, substitution)
b. : a changing of a chemical compound into an isomeric form
5. : a transformation of a musical figure or idea into a rhythmically or melodically altered repetition of the original
its continuity … relies upon the metamorphosis of themes rather than the use of the leitmotiv — Norman Demuth