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metastasis

The definition of metastasis is the movement of disease from one body part to another by way of the bloodstream or the lymph system.

(noun)

An example of metastasis is the spreading of cancer from one spot in the body to another.

See metastasis in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. metastases

Rare change of form or matter; transformation
Med. the spread of disease from one part of the body to another unrelated to it, as in the transfer of the cells of a malignant tumor by way of the bloodstream or lymphatics

Origin: ModL < LL, a passing over, transition < Gr < methistanai, to place in another way, change < meta, after (see meta-) + histanai, to place (see stand)

Related Forms:

metastatic adjective
metastatically adverb

See metastasis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. me·tas·ta·ses (-sēzˌ)

Pathology Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms or cancerous cells from an original site to one or more sites elsewhere in the body, usually by way of the blood vessels or lymphatics.
A secondary cancerous growth formed by transmission of cancerous cells from a primary growth located elsewhere in the body.

Origin:

Origin: Greek

Origin: , from methistanai, to change

Origin: : meta-, meta-

Origin: + histanai, to cause to stand, place; see stā- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: