métamorphose

metamorphosis

noun meh-tah-mor-FOHZ Rare

Origin: Greek metamorphosis (change of form)

Also means

transformation

Usage Note

Métamorphose is feminine and covers both the biological process (caterpillar to butterfly) and any dramatic personal or social transformation. The related verb se métamorphoser means 'to transform oneself'. In literary contexts it evokes Ovid's Métamorphoses, which French students encounter in classical studies.

Examples

"La chenille subit une métamorphose complète."

Natural Translation

The caterpillar undergoes a complete metamorphosis.

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