/ˌmetəˈmôrfəsəs/
Noun, pl. metamorphoses
(Biology)
1. A biological process by which an animal physically develops after birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal’s body structure through cell growth and differentiation. Some insects, amphibians, molluscs, crustaceans, Cnidarians, echinoderms and tunicates undergo metamorphosis, which is usually accompanied by a change of habitat or behavior. (wikipedia.org)
2. A change in the form and often habits of an animal after the embryonic stage during normal development. (e.g. the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly or a tadpole into a frog.) (wiktionary.org)
3. A marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching. (merriam-webster.com)
4. The marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals. (wordnetweb.princeton.edu)
(Pathology)
1. A change in the structure of a specific body tissue. Usually degenerative. (wiktionary.org)
(Other definitions)
1. A transformation, such as that of magic or by sorcery. (wiktionary.org)
2. A noticeable change in character, appearance, function or condition. (wiktionary.org)
Word origin: From Latin metamorphosis, from Greek metamorphosis “a transforming, a transformation,” from metamorphoun “to transform, to be transfigured,” from meta– “change” + morphe “form.”