First Known Use: 1663
Dictionary
metastasis
noun me·tas·ta·sis \mə-ˈtas-tə-səs\
plural me·tas·ta·ses\-ˌsēz\
Definition of METASTASIS
1
a : change of position, state, or form b : the spread of a disease-producing agency (as cancer cells) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body; also : the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis
— met·a·stat·ic \ˌme-tə-ˈsta-tik\ adjective
— met·a·stat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
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Origin of METASTASIS
New Latin, from Late Latin, transition, from Greek, from methistanai to change, from meta- + histanai to set — more at stand
Medical Dictionary
metastasis
noun me·tas·ta·sis \mə-ˈtas-tə-səs\
plural me·tas·ta·ses \-ˌsēz\
Medical Definition of METASTASIS
1
a : change of position, state, or form b : the spread of a disease-producing agency (as cancer cells or bacteria) from the initial or primary site of disease to another part of the body <metastases of breast cancer to bone—Medical Physics>; also : the process by which such spreading occurs
2
: a secondary malignant tumor resulting from metastasis
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