metastasis

[ muh-tas-tuh-sis ]

/ məˈtæs tə sɪs /

noun, plural me·tas·ta·ses [muh-tas-tuh-seez] /məˈtæs təˌsiz/.

Pathology.

the transference of disease-producing organisms or of malignant or cancerous cells to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or membranous surfaces.
the condition produced by this.

transformation(def 3).

Rhetoric. a rapid transition, as from one subject to another.

Physics. a change in position or orbit of an elementary particle.

Words nearby metastasis

metasequoia, metasoma, metasomatism, metastable, metastasio, metastasis, metastasize, metastatic abscess, metastatic calcification, metatag, metatarsal

Origin of metastasis

First recorded in 1580–90, metastasis is from the Greek word metástasis a changing. See meta-, stasis

OTHER WORDS FROM metastasis

met·a·stat·ic

[met-uh-stat-ik] /ˌmɛt əˈstæt ɪk/, adjectivemet·a·stat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for metastatic

From there grew the idea that inflammation itself could be a facilitator of metastatic growth.
How Big Pharma Holds Back in the War on Cancer|ProPublica|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After a struggle of a little less than seven weeks, my father—a lifelong nonsmoker—died of metastatic lung cancer.
Murray Bernard Frum, 1931–2013|David Frum|May 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When they told us she had metastatic disease, she was well schooled in what to expect, and she expected two years.
A Gay Warrior’s Win for Partner at National Cemetery|Eleanor Clift|April 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Nine years ago, he discovered he had metastatic colon cancer.
Sen. Tom Coburn Talks Romney, Norquist, and Taxes|Lloyd Grove|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Infection by contiguous extension occurs and also metastatic involvement is met with occasionally.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix
A practical manner of classification of arthritis is traumatic and metastatic.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix
Koch employs the term pymia merely to denote a general affection accompanied by metastatic inflammation and suppuration.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
Flat-celled epithelioma is found at the cardiac orifice and as a metastatic growth in other parts of the stomach.
A System of Practical Medicine By American Authors, Vol. II|Various
Virchow49 had always maintained the possibility of regarding tuberculosis as a heteroplastic or metastatic scrofula.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various

British Dictionary definitions for metastatic

metastasis

/ (mɪˈtæstəsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

pathol the spreading of a disease, esp cancer cells, from one part of the body to another

a transformation or change, as in rhetoric, from one point to another

a rare word for metabolism

Derived forms of metastasis

metastatic (ˌmɛtəˈstætɪk), adjectivemetastatically, adverb

Word Origin for metastasis

C16: via Latin from Greek: transition

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

Medicine definitions for metastatic

metastasis

[ mə-tăs′tə-sĭs ]

n. pl. me•tas•ta•ses (-sēz′)

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.

Other words from metastasis

met′a•stat′ic (mĕt′ə-stăt′ĭk) adj.

Science definitions for metastatic

metastasis

[ mə-tăs′tə-sĭs ]

A cancerous tumor formed by transmission of malignant cells from a primary cancer located elsewhere in the body.

Other words from metastasis

metastasize verb