metastasis
me·tas·ta·sis (mə tas′tə sis)
noun pl. metastases -·ses′ (-sēz′)
- 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
Etymology: 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 met′a·stat′ic (met′ə stat′ik) adjective
- metastatically met′a·stat′i·cally adverb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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