metamorphose
UK[ˌmetəˈmɔːfəʊz]US[ˌmetəˈmɔːrfoʊz]
v
To change completely in form or nature.
v
(In biology) To undergo a physical transformation, such as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.
Morpheme Breakdown
meta
morph
ose
meta
change
morph
form
ose
verb suffix
Etymology
The word 'metamorphose' is a direct borrowing from the French 'métamorphoser', which itself originates from Latin 'metamorphōsis', a term borrowed from Greek. The Greek source, 'metamorphōsis', is a compound of 'meta-' (implying change or alteration) and 'morphē' (meaning form or shape). This etymological construction perfectly captures the core concept of a change in form. The journey from the concrete Greek idea of physical transformation to its modern English usage encompasses both biological processes and metaphorical changes in character or state, retaining the fundamental logic of a profound structural or essential alteration.
Analysis
Structure: meta (change) + morph (form) + ose (verb suffix)
- meta: From Greek, meaning "change, transformation, or beyond."
- morph: From Greek morphē, meaning "form, shape."
- ose: A verb-forming suffix, often from Greek -oun or Latin -izare, indicating the process of making or becoming.
Examples
The tadpoles will eventually metamorphose into frogs.
The quiet village began to metamorphose into a bustling tourist town.
In the story, the wizard could metamorphose common objects into creatures of gold.