metamorphosis
Caterpillar becomes butterfly
Metamorphosis is a dramatic transformation in form or character.
In biology, it refers to the developmental process where an animal changes from one distinct stage to another—a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, a tadpole becoming a frog.
The word extends to any profound change: His time abroad triggered a complete metamorphosis.
Kafka's famous story literalizes the metaphor.
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- larvaImmature feeding stage
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
butterfly · moth · imago · molting · instar · emergence · silkworm · Lepidoptera
Complete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- shapeshiftingTransforming into other beings
- transmogrificationFantastical change in form
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
werewolf · Kafka · Ovid · chimera · lycanthropy · changeling · skinwalker · selkie
Making current again
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- renaissancePeriod of renewed vitality
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
- revivalReturn after decline
rejuvenation · reemergence · resurgence · transformation · reinvention · phoenix · born again · new beginning
Process of becoming complete
- growthIncrease in size
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- progressionSequential forward movement
- unfoldingGradually becoming apparent
blossoming · ripening · coming-of-age · formation · emergence · flourishing · advancement · transition
Act of modifying
- conversionAct of changing states
- transitionChange from one state
- shiftMovement or work period
- modificationAct of altering something
restructuring · overhaul · revamping · reformation · remodeling · reconfiguration · makeover · turnabout
chrysalis
Pupal casing for metamorphosis
- pupaInsect's resting stage
- larvaImmature feeding stage
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
cocoon · butterfly · moth · imago · molting · instar · emergence · silkworm · Lepidoptera · entomology
transmutation
Complete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- shapeshiftingTransforming into other beings
- transmogrificationFantastical change in form
alchemy · werewolf · Kafka · Ovid · chimera · lycanthropy · changeling · skinwalker · selkie · shapeshift
renewal
Making current again
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- renaissancePeriod of renewed vitality
- regenerationBiological self-repair process
revival · rejuvenation · reemergence · resurgence · transformation · reinvention · phoenix · born again · new beginning · fresh start
maturation
Process of becoming complete
- growthIncrease in size
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- progressionSequential forward movement
unfolding · blossoming · ripening · coming-of-age · formation · emergence · flourishing · advancement · transition · stages
alteration
Act of modifying
- conversionAct of changing states
- transitionChange from one state
- shiftMovement or work period
modification · restructuring · overhaul · revamping · reformation · remodeling · reconfiguration · makeover · turnabout · sea change
- mythsmyth, legend, fable, fairy tale, folk tale
- insect biologyantennae, compound eyes, exoskeleton, mandibles, spiracles
- Lepidopterabutterflies, moths, monarch, cocoons, chrysalis
- larvaelarvae, larva, caterpillar, caterpillars, maggot
- surrealismdreamscapes, Rene Magritte, Max Ernst, automatic writing, automatism
- wildlife cyclesmating season, breeding season, migration, rutting season, spawning season
metamorphosisstagnation
Absence of flow or progress
stasis · unchanging · standstill · immutability · fixity
metamorphosisregression
Return to former state
decay · deterioration · devolution · degeneration · atrophy
- The MetamorphosisNovella about human-to-insect change
metamorphose, metamorphosed, metamorphosing, metamorphoses, metamorphosizes