English dictionary · noun

metastasis

A change in nature, form, or quality.

Meaning and definitions

1. A change in nature, form, or quality.
2. The spread of something harmful to another location, such as the metastasis of a cancer.
3. A sudden or rapid transition from one point, topic or argument to another, often to evade an uncomfortable subject or to redirect the discussion.

Connected roots

• stat-

  standing, stopping

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• static

  Unchanging; that cannot or does not change.

• thermostat

  A device that automatically responds to changes in temperature by activating a heating or cooling system to maintain the temperature at a desired setting.

• metastatic

  Relating to, or producing metastasis.

• homeostasis

  The ability of a system or living organism to adjust its internal environment to maintain a state of dynamic constancy; such as the ability of warm-blooded animals to maintain a stable temperature.

• thermostatic

  having or maintaining a consistent temperature

• hemostasis

  The process of keeping blood inside a damaged vessel to stop bleeding.

Save this word and practice it →