meta-

Meanings

1. Behind.
2. Later or subsequent.
3. Situated between two segments.
4. Having fewer molecules of water than the ortho- equivalent.
5. in isomeric benzene derivatives, having the two substituents in alternate (1,3) positions; contrasted with ortho- and para-.
6. Relating to metabolism.

1. Transcending, encompassing.
2. Pertaining to a level above or beyond; reflexive or recursive; about itself or about other things of the same type. For example, metadata is data that describes data, metalanguage is language that describes language, etc.
3. Having analogies with metaphysics.

1. Modified by metamorphosis; analogies and derivatives of metamorphism.

1. Consequent on.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *me Proto-Indo-European *meth₂? Ancient Greek μετᾰ́ (metắ) Ancient Greek μετᾰ- (metă-)lbor. English meta- Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek μετα- (meta-), from μετά (metá), from Mycenaean Greek 𐀕𐀲 (me-ta), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *meth₂ (“in the middle”).