metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is defined as a change into something new, or the process of an insect or amphibian maturing into adult form.

(noun)

When you transform from an actor into the President of the U.S., this is an example of ametamorphosis.
When a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, this is an example of ametamorphosis.

See metamorphosis in Webster's New World College Dictionary

1. change of form, shape, structure, or substance; transformation, as, in myths, by magic or sorcery
2. the form resulting from such change
a marked or complete change of character, appearance, condition, etc.
Biol. a change in form, structure, or function as a result of development; specif., the physical transformation, more or less sudden, undergone by various animals during development after the embryonic state, as of the larva of an insect to the pupa and the pupa to the adult, or of the tadpole to the frog
Med. a pathological change of form of some tissues

Origin: L < Gr metamorphōsis < metamorphoun, to transform, transfigure < meta, over (see meta-) + morphē, form, shape

See metamorphosis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. met·a·mor·pho·ses (-sēzˌ)

A transformation, as by magic or sorcery.
A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function.
Biology A change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage. Metamorphosis includes, in insects, the transformation of a maggot into an adult fly and a caterpillar into a butterfly and, in amphibians, the changing of a tadpole into a frog.
Pathology A usually degenerative change in the structure of a particular body tissue.

Origin:

Origin: Latin metamorphōsis

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from metamorphoun, to transform

Origin: : meta-, meta-

Origin: + morphē, form

(click for a larger image)