释义 |
me·tas·ta·sis \mə̇ˈtastəsə̇s, -ˈtaas-\ noun (plural metastases) Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, transition, from Greek, from methistanai to change, from meta- + histanai to cause to stand, place — more at stand : change of position, state, or form: a. (1) : transfer of a disease-producing agency (as cells or bacteria) from an original site of disease to another part of the body with development of a similar lesion in the new location < metastasis in the lung usually occurs by way of the blood stream — J.B.Amberson > < metastases of breast cancer to bone — Medical Physics > — compare cancer, implantation (2) : a secondary growth resulting from such transfer of cells of a malignant tumor b. : metabolism 1 c. : a paramorphic change in rock (as recrystallization of limestone or devitrification of glassy rock) |