Metamorphosis

Complete form alteration

Metamorphosis is a dramatic transformation in form or character.

In biology, it describes the process by which certain animals change body structure during development—a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, a tadpole becoming a frog.

More broadly, metamorphosis applies to any profound change: The city underwent a metamorphosis after the war.

The word suggests transformation so complete that the original is barely recognizable in the result.

biological

caterpillar

Moth or butterfly young

chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
pupaInsect's resting stage

larva · butterfly · moth · insect · molting · emergence · stages · life cycle · hatching · imago

transformation

change

To make different

transitionChange from one state
evolutionSpecies changing over generations
conversionAct of changing states

transmutation · shift · alteration · transfiguration · mutation · development · progression · becoming · renewal · rebirth

personal

growth

Increase in size

self-improvementEnhancing oneself deliberately
awakeningReturn to consciousness
journeyTravel from place to place

transformation · identity · reinvention · breakthrough · healing · recovery · maturation · coming-of-age · epiphany · enlightenment

literary

Kafka

Czech-Jewish literary surname

OvidAncient Roman poet
mythologyBody of traditional tales
allegorySymbolic tale with deeper meaning

alienation · absurdism · novella · vermin · beetle · existentialism · Prague · Daphne · Arachne · Narcissus

geological

rock cycle

Continuous transformation of minerals

igniteStart burning something
sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
pressureForce upon contact

heat · recrystallization · marble · slate · quartzite · schist · gneiss · foliation · mineral · tectonic

Metamorphosis

caterpillar

change

growth

Kafka

rock cycle

Metamorphosis

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family