Search the Dictionary

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 chrysal…

A larval crustacean in a stage following the nauplius, and having about seven pairs of appendages.

Of or pertaining to the metanephros.

The most posterior of the three pairs of embryonic renal organs developed in many vertebrates.

The dorsal portion of the metaphorax of insects.

A salt of metantimonic acid.

Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (formerly called antimonic acid) analogous to metaphosphoric acid, and obtained as a white amorphous insoluble substance, (HSbO3).

Pertaining to, or designating, a supposed acid obtained from pectin.

A substance obtained from, and resembling, pectin, and occurring in overripe fruits.

An intermediate product formed in the gastric digestion of albuminous matter.

The transference of the relation between one set of objects to another set for the purpose of brief explanation; a compressed simile; e. g., the ship plows the sea. Abbott & Seeley. "All the world's a stage." Shak.

Of or pertaining to metaphor; comprising a metaphor; not literal; figurative; tropical; as, a metaphorical expression; a metaphorical sense. -- Met`a*phor"ic*al*ly, adv. -- Met`a*phor"ic*al*ness, n.

One who makes metaphors.

A salt of metaphosphoric acid.

Pertaining to, or designating, a monobasic acid, HPO3, analogous to nitric acid, and, by heating phosphoric acid, obtained as a crystalline substance, commonly called glacial phosphoric acid.

A verbal translation; a version or translation from one language into another, word for word; -- opposed to paraphrase. Dryden.

Translated literally.

Metaphrase.

A literal translator.

Close, or literal.