 | WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
| WordWeight : Weighing the Words |
Meta-
Pronunciation : Met"a-
Part of Speech : Met-.
Etymology : [Gr. mid with, G. mit, Goth. mi?, E. mid, in midwife.]
Definition : 1. A prefix meaning between, with, after, behind, over, about, reversely; as, metachronism, the error of placing after the correct time; metaphor, lit., a carrying over; metathesis, a placing reversely.
2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting: (a) Other; duplicate, corresponding to; resembling; hence, metameric; as, meta-arabinic, metaldehyde. (b) (Organic Chem.) That two replacing radicals, in the benzene nucleus, occupy the relative positions of 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 3 and 5, 4 and 6, 5 and 1, or 6 and 2; as, metacresol, etc. See Ortho-, and Para-. (c) (Inorganic Chem.) Having less than the highest number of hydroxyl groups; -- said of acids; as, metaphosphoric acid. Also used adjectively. at a level above, as metaphysics, metalanguage.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
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