Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

metaplasm

noun
meta·​plasm
plural -s

Definition of metaplasm 

1 [ Latin metaplasmus, literally, transformation, from Greek metaplasmos, from metaplassein to remold, from meta- + plassein to mold ] : alteration of regular verbal, grammatical, or rhetorical structure usually by transposition of the letters or syllables of a word or of the words in a sentence

2 [ International Scientific Vocabulary meta- + -plasm; originally formed as German metaplasma ] : material consisting of lifeless derivatives of protoplasm (as cell walls, starch grains)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Other Words from metaplasm

metaplasmic \ ¦⸗⸗¦plazmik \ adjective

Learn More about metaplasm

Statistics for metaplasm

Look-up Popularity

Comments on metaplasm

What made you want to look up metaplasm? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

noisome

noxious or harmful

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

A Thanksgiving Word Quiz

  • a-traditional-thanksgiving-dinner
  • November comes from a word for which of the following numbers?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games