META Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

meta

[ met-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

pertaining to or noting a story, conversation, character, etc., that consciously references or comments upon its own subject or features, often in the form of parody:
A movie about making a movie is just so meta—especially when the actors criticize the acting.
pertaining to or noting an abstract, high-level analysis or commentary, especially one that consciously references something of its own type.

noun

a consciously and playfully self-referential story, conversation, etc.:
That dialogue was an example of meta at its best.
an abstract, high-level analysis or commentary:
writing a meta to explain the character’s motivation.

verb (used without object)

to analyze or comment on something in a meta way:
I spend more time metaing about the show than actually watching it.

meta

[ mee-tuh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural metae

(in ancient Rome) a column or post, or a group of columns or posts, placed at each end of a racetrack to mark the turning places.

meta

[ met-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

Chemistry.

pertaining to or occupying two positions (1, 3) in the benzene ring that are separated by one carbon atom.

meta

⁴

[ met-uh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Slang.

a shortened form of metamour.

noun

a female given name.

meta-

⁶

a prefix appearing in loanwords from Greek, with the meanings “after,” “along with,” “beyond,” “among,” “behind,” and productive in English on the Greek model:
metacarpus; metagenesis.
a prefix added to the name of a subject and designating another subject that analyzes the original one but at a more abstract, higher level:
metaphilosophy; metalinguistics.
a prefix added to the name of something that consciously references or comments upon its own subject or features:
a meta-painting of an artist painting a canvas.
Chemistry.
1. (of acids, salts, or their organic derivatives) a prefix denoting the least hydrated of a series: Compare ortho-, pyro-.
  meta-antimonic, HSbO3;
  meta-antimonous, HSbO2.
2. a prefix designating the meta position in the benzene ring. : m-. Compare ortho-, para- ¹.

meta-

prefix

indicating change, alteration, or alternation
metamorphosis
metabolism
(of an academic discipline, esp philosophy) concerned with the concepts and results of the named discipline See also metatheory
metamathematics
meta-ethics
occurring or situated behind or after
metaphase
often in italics denoting that an organic compound contains a benzene ring with substituents in the 1,3-positions m- Compare ortho- para- 1
meta-cresol
metadinitrobenzene
denoting an isomer, polymer, or compound related to a specified compound (often differing from similar compounds that are prefixed by para- )
metaldehyde
denoting an oxyacid that is a lower hydrated form of the anhydride or a salt of such an acid Compare ortho-
metaphosphoric acid

noun

a river in Colombia, rising in the Andes and flowing northeast and east, forming part of the border between Colombia and Venezuela, to join the Orinoco River. Length: about 1000 km (620 miles)

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of meta¹

First recorded in 2010–15; adjective and noun use of meta- ( def )

Origin of meta²

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin ��ŧ�ٲ� “cone, turning post”

Origin of meta³

First recorded in 1875–80; independent use of meta-

Origin of meta⁴

First recorded in 2010–15

Origin of meta⁵

From Greek, prefix and preposition; cognate with Old English mid “w��ٳ�,” German mit, Gothic mith

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of meta¹

Greek, from meta with, after, between, among. Compare Old English mid, mith with, Old Norse meth with, between

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