metastasize
[ muh-tas-tuh-sahyz ]
/ məˈtæs təˌsaɪz /
verb (used without object), me·tas·ta·sized, me·tas·ta·siz·ing.
Pathology. (of malignant cells or disease-producing organisms) to spread to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.
to spread injuriously: Street gangs have metastasized in our city.
to transform, especially into a dangerous form: The KGB metastasized after the fall of the Soviet Union. Truth metastasized into lurid fantasy.
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Also especially British, me·tas·ta·sise .
Origin of metastasize
First recorded in 1905–10; metastas(is) + -ize
Words nearby metastasize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for metastasize
When politicians use ethnic mobilization to promote their agendas, violence can metastasize quickly.
George Clooney on How to Stop An Inferno in South Sudan|George Clooney, John Prendergast|December 20, 2013|DAILY BEASTWhat starts out as Casual Friday must metastasize eventually into Slumming Sunday.
British Dictionary definitions for metastasize
metastasize
metastasise
/ (mɪˈtæstəˌsaɪz) /
verb (intr)
pathol (esp of cancer cells) to spread to a new site in the body via blood or lymph vessels
(of a problem) to deteriorate or spread into new areas
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for metastasize
metastasize
[ mə-tăs′tə-sīz′ ]
v.
To be transmitted or transferred by or as if by metastasis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.