Meta definition

mĕtə
Making or showing awareness of reference to oneself or to the activity that is taking place, especially in an ironic or comic way.
adjective
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16
Going beyond or higher, transcending.

Metalinguistics, metacriticism.

affix
21
9
One definition of this Greek word is transcending, or going above and beyond. In the computer field, it defines things that embrace more than the usual. For example, a metafile contains all types of data. Meta-data describes other data. See metafile, metadata and meta tag.
26
15
After.

Metapneumonic.

affix
14
6
Change in position or form, alteration, transposition.

Metathesis, metasomatism.

affix
10
6
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(informal) Self-referential; at a higher level.
adjective
4
1
Describing or showing an awareness of the activity that is taking place or being discussed; self-referential.

Metafiction.

prefix
3
0
More comprehensive.

Meta-analysis.

prefix
2
0
At a higher state of development.

Metazoan.

prefix
2
0
Alternation.

Metagenesis.

prefix
2
1
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Derivative or related chemical substance.

Metaprotein.

prefix
2
1
Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom.

Meta-dibromobenzene.

prefix
1
0
A less hydrated acid or salt.

Metaphosphoric acid.

affix
1
0
Having undergone metamorphosis.

Metasomatic.

prefix
1
1
Later in time.

Metestrus.

prefix
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0
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At a later stage of development.

Metanephros.

prefix
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0
A polymer of.

Metaldehyde.

affix
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0
Characterized by substitutions in the 1, 3 position in the benzene ring.

Meta-aminobenzoic acid.

affix
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0
noun
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The definition of meta is a person or thing that is more than usual or that goes above and beyond.

An example of meta used as an adjective are meta tags which are HTML tags that are hidden on a website screen but give search engines the title and description of the web screen.

adjective
2
3
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Change; transformation.

Metachromatism.

prefix
1
2
A derivative of.

Metaprotein.

affix
0
1
Either of the conical columns at each end of a Roman circus.
noun
0
2
Behind, at the back.

Metanephros.

affix
5
8
Between.

Metope.

affix
4
7
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Situated behind.

Metacarpus.

prefix
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13

Origin of meta

  • < Gr meta, along with, after, between, among < IE *meta < base *me-, between > mid

    From Webster's New World College Dictionary, 5th Edition

  • Greek from meta beside, after me-2 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From meta– (as in metalanguage)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From meta-

    From Wiktionary

Meta Sentence Examples

  • Hegel's logic, 3 though it involves inquiries which custom regards as metaphysical, is not to be characterized as a meta.

  • It never goes directly into the meta position.

  • A transit trade with Colombia, via the Meta river, has been carried on by two small steamers, but subject to interruptions from political causes.

  • Farther west, and nearly opposite to Naples across the bay, are Vico, Meta, Sorrento, Massa and many villages.

  • If Nominet would create a meta account in which a customer can access all his registrant ids it would not.

More sentences

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Also Mentioned In

Words near meta in the Dictionary