Meta-

Alternative forms

• met- prevocalic

Origin

From Ancient Greek μετά, from Proto-Indo-European *me ("in the middle").

Full definition of meta-

Prefix

1. transcending, encompassing
2. Pertaining to a level above or beyond. For example, metadata is data that describes data, metalanguage is language that describes language, etc.
3. Having analogies with metaphysics
4. (pathology) Consequent on
5. (anatomy and zoology) Behind
6. (botany and zoology) Later or subsequent
7. (geology) Analogies and derivatives of metamorphism
8. (chemistry) Having fewer molecules of water than the ortho- equivalent
9. (chemistry) in isomeric benzene derivatives, having the two substituents in alternate positions; contrasted with ortho- and para-

Derived terms