Definition of: meta

1. Changed in place or form; reversed; altered: metamorphosis.
2. Anat. & Zool. Behind; after; on the farther side of; later: often equivalent to post– or dorso–: meta-thorax, metaplasis.
3. With; alongside: metabiosis.
4. Beyond; over; transcending: metaphysics, metapsychology.
5. Chem. a A modification, usually polymeric, of. b A derivative of: metaprotein. c A derivative of an acid anhydride, formed by withdrawal of one or more water molecules: distinguished from ortho–: metaphosphoric acid. d A benzene derivative in which the substituted atoms or radicals occupy the positions 1, 3: abbr. m–. Compare ORTHO–, PARA–. See BENZENE RING. Also, before vowels and h, met–. [<Gk. <meta after, beside, with]