indicating change, alteration, or alternation: metabolism, metamorphosis
2.
(of an academic discipline, esp philosophy) concerned with the concepts and results of the named discipline: metamathematics, meta-ethics See also metatheory
3.
occurring or situated behind or after: metaphase
4.
(often in italics) denoting that an organic compound contains a benzene ring with substituents in the 1,3-positions: metadinitrobenzene, meta-cresol, m-Compare ortho- (sense 4), para-1 (sense 6)
5.
denoting an isomer, polymer, or compound related to a specified compound (often differing from similar compounds that are prefixed by para-): metaldehyde
6.
denoting an oxyacid that is a lower hydrated form of the anhydride or a salt of such an acid: metaphosphoric acid Compare ortho- (sense 5)
Word Origin
Greek, from meta with, after, between, among. Compare Old English mid, mith with, Old Norse meth with, between