Main Entry:

me·tas·ta·sis

Pronunciation:

\mə-ˈtas-tə-səs\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural me·tas·ta·ses \-ˌsēz\

Etymology:

New Latin, from Late Latin, transition, from Greek, from methistanai to change, from meta- + histanai to set — more at stand

Date:

1663

1 a: change of position, state, or form b: the spread of a disease-producing agency (as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body ; also : the process by which such spreading occurs2: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis

— met·a·stat·ic \ˌme-tə-ˈsta-tik\ adjective

— met·a·stat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb