metaphor 
metaphor (met'a-f'or), M. [= K. 
metdfora = Pg. mutaphora = It. metafora, < . 
metaphora < Gr. fteraqiopd, a transfer to one word 
of the sense of another (L. translatio), < /tera- 
ipepeiv, carry over, transfer, < fj.fr a, over, + <j>epeii>, 
carry ^ = E. bear 1 .] A figure of speech by 
which, from some supposed resemblance or 
analogy, a name, an attribute, or an action be- 
longing to or characteristic of one object is 
assigned to another to which it is not literally 
applicable; the figurative transfer of a de- 
scriptive or affirmative word or phrase from 
one thing to another ; implied comparison by 
transference of terms : as, the ship spread its 
icings to the breeze ; " Judah is a lion's whelp," 
Gen. xlix. 9. If Jacob had said, "is Hire or resembles 
a lion's whelp," the expression would have been a simile 
instead of a metaphor. A simple metaphor is contained 
in a single word or phrase, like those in italics above ; a 
continued metaphor is one in which the figurative descrip- 
tion or characterization is maintained throughout a va- 
riety of phrases or applications. See simile and trope. 
What els is your Metaphor but an inuersion of sence by 
transport; your allegoric by a duplicitie of meaning or 
dissimulation vnder couert and darke intendments? 
Putlenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 128. 
Whatever here seems beauteous, seem'd to be 
But a faint Metaphor of Thee. 
Coieley, The Mistress, Not Fair. 
A metaphor is no argument, though it be sometimes the 
gunpowder to drive one home and imbed it in the mem- 
ory. Lowell, Democracy. 
Mixed metaphor, a figurative expression in which two 
or more metaphors are confused, as in the following quo- 
tation : 
Where still to use your lordship's tropes 
The level of obedience slopes 
Upward and downward, as the stream 
Of hydra faction kicks the beam ! 
T. Moore, To Lord Castlereagh. 
= 8301. Comparison, Allegory, etc. See simile. 
metaphoric (met-a-for'ik), a. [= F. mctapho- 
rique = Sp. metafSrico = Pg. metaphorico = It. 
metaforico, < LL. "metaphoricus (in adv. meta- 
phorice),<Gr. /uTafaptKoe, relating to metaphor, 
< /leTaQopa, metaphor: see metaphor.] Same 
as metaphorical. 
metaphorical (met-a-for'i-kal), a. [< meta- 
phoric + -al.~\ Pertaining to or of the nature 
of metaphor; consisting of or abounding in 
metaphor; not literal: as, a metaphorical ex- 
pression ; a metaphorical use of words. 
How dangerous it is in sensible things to use metaphor- 
ical expressions unto the people, and what absurd con- 
ceits they will swallow in their literals. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., iv. 10. 
metaphorically (met-a-for'i-kal-i), adv. In a 
metaphorical manner or sense ; by way of met- 
aphor; not literally. 
metaphoricalness(met-a-for'i-kal-nes), n. The 
state or quality of being metaphorical. 
metaphorist (met'a-for-ist), . [< metaphor + 
-is/.] One who coins or uses metaphors. 
Let the poet send to the metaphorist for his allegories. 
MarKnus Scriblenis. 
metaphosphate (met-a-fos'fat), n. [< meta- 
phosph(oric) + -atefl-.J A salt formed by the 
union of metaphosphoric acid with a base. 
metaphpsphoric (met"a-fos-for'ik), a. [< Gr. 
fiera, with, + E. phosphoric."] Pertaining to, 
produced from, or resembling phosphorus or 
phosphoric acid. Metaphosphoric acid, HPO n , 
an acid obtained by burning phosphorus under a bell- 
glass filled with air or oxygen and absorbing the fumes 
in water, or by heating orthophosphoric acid to redness. 
When the water is evaporated, the acid is left as a soft, 
very deliquescent mass. The glacial phosphoric acid of 
commerce is metaphosphoric acid with soda as an im- 
purity. 
metaphragm (met'a-fram), . [< NL. ineta- 
phragma, partition, < Gr. perd, over, + typayfia, 
fence, screen : see diaphragm.'] In entom. , the 
metapostscutellum, which is visible exteriorly 
in some insects, but in others is internal, form- 
ing a transverse partition at the base of the 
abdomen. 
metaphragma (met-a-frag'ma), n. ; pi. meta- 
phragmata (-ma-ta)." [NL.]" Same as meta- 
phragm. 
metaphrase (met'a-fraz), n. [= P. metaphrase 
= Sp. mettifrasis = Pg. metaphrase, < NL. meta- 
phrasis, < Gr. peTitypaaif , a translation or para- 
phrase, < /ieTa<t>paeiv, change from one style to 
another, as from poetry to prose, < /lerd, over, 
+ 0pdfc<i>, speak : see phrase. Cf . paraphrase, 
periphrase.] 1. A translation; specifically, a 
verbal translation ; a close version or transla- 
tion from one language into another: opposed 
to paraphrase. 
His metaphrase of the Psalmes is still in our hands. 
Bp. Hall, To Mr. S. Burton. 
2. A responding phrase ; a repartee. 
3734 
I'm somewhat dull, still, in the manly art 
of phrase and metaphrase. 
Mrs. Browning, Aurora Leigh, viii. 
metaphrase (met'a-fraz), r. *.; pret. and pp. 
metaphrased, ppr. metaphrasing. [< metaphrase, 
n.] To translate literally; turn into exactly 
corresponding words: as, to metaphrase Latin 
poetry. 
metaphrasis (me-taf 'ra-sis), n. [NL. : see 
metaphrase.] Same as metaphrase. 
Metaphrasis is to take some notable place out of a good 
Poete, and turn the same sens into meter, or into other 
wordes in Prose. Ascham, The Scholemaster, p. 93. 
metaphrast (met'a-frast), n. [= F. metaphrastc 
= Sp. metafrasta = Pg. metaphrastes, < Gr. ficra- 
<t>pdaT>if, one who changes from one style to an- 
other,^ /2CTa<fipd(civ, change from one style to an- 
other: ses metaphrasis.] A person who trans- 
lates literally from one language into another. 
George Sandys, Esq., the famous traveller and excellent 
poetical metaphrast. Wood, Fasti Oxon., p. 1285. 
metaphrastic (met-a-fras'tik), a. [< metaphrast 
+ -ic.] Close or literal in translation. 
Maximus Planudes, who has the merit of having fa- 
miliarised to his countrymen many Latin classics of the 
lower empire, by metaphrastic versions. 
Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry, II. 169. 
metaphrastical (met-a-fras'ti-kal), a. [< meta- 
phrastic + -al.] Same as metaphrastic. 
metaphysic (met-a-fiz'ik), a. and n. [= F. 
metaphysique = Sp. metafisico = Pg. metapht/- 
sico = It. metafisico, < ML. metaphysicus, adj., 
from the earlier noun metaphysica, neut. pi.; as 
a noun, formerly also metaphysique, < F. meta- 
physique = Sp. metafisica = Pg. metaphysica = 
It. metafisica, < LL. metaphysica, neut. pi. (later 
metaphysica;, fern, pi.) as a noun, a transfer of 
the Greek title TUV fiera TO <j>voiicd, A-N, 'the 
(books) after the Physics, 1-50,' applied first 
probably by Andronicus of Rhodes, in the 1st 
century B. c., to certain books of Aristotle, 
which were not intended to form one treatise, 
but which all relate to what he called 
0</toao0<<z, first philosophy: ftcTa, after; 
physics : see physic, physics. The preposition 
or prefix came to be regarded as meaning 'be- 
yond,' 'above,' and the title metaphysica as the 
name of a science 'that is above or transcends 
physics.' Hence mod. formations like meta- 
chemistry, metalogic, metamathematics, etc.] I.t 
a. Same as metaphysical. 
By any metaphysick book. 
S. Brew, Cosmologia Sacra, iv. 8. 
He knew what's what, and that's as high 
As metaphysic wit can fly. 
S. Butler; Hudibras, I. i. 150. 
II. . Same as met 
The one part, which is physic, inquireth and handleth 
the material and efficient causes ; and the other, which is 
metaphysic, handleth the formal and final causes. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, ii. 
When I say metaphysic, you will be pleased to remember 
that all general reasoning, all politics, law, morality, and 
divinity, are merely metaphysic. 
Home Tooke, Diversions of Purley, II. iv. 
The full treatment of the whole mass of empirical detail 
is impossible without a more thorough metaphysic. 
Adamson, Fichte, p. 222. 
metaphysict (met-a-fiz'ik), v. t. [= F. meta- 
physiqucr=Pg. metaphysicar=It. metafisicare, 
discourse metaphysically ; from the noun : see 
metaphysic, n.] To make metaphysical. Wai- 
pole, Letters (1782), IV. 306. (Dories.) 
metaphysical (met-a-fiz'i-kal), a. [< metaphys- 
ic + -al.] 1. Of or pertaining to metaphysic 
or metaphysics ; in a loose sense, philosophi- 
cal; hence, highly abstruse; apart from ordi- 
nary or practical modes of thought. 
Hobbes had, in language more precise and luminous 
than has ever been employed by any other metaphysical 
writer, maintained that the will of the Prince was the stan- 
dard of right and wrong. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., ii. 
2. Relating to real being, and not merely to 
appearance; transcendental; hence, pertain- 
ing to unverifiable hypotheses. 
Both ideas and words may be said to be true in a meta- 
physical sense of the word "truth," . . . i. e., really to 
be such as they exist. 
Locke, Human Understanding, II. xxxii 2. 
3. Pertaining to abstractions, or modes thought 
of as objects, and named as if they were things; 
abstract. 
Truth and Falsehood are odd kind'of Metaphysical things 
to them, which they do not care to trouble their heads 
with. Stillinffjleet, Sermons, II. i. 
4f. Preternatural or supernatural. 
The golden round, 
Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem 
To have theo crown'd withal. 
Shak., Macbeth, i. 5. 30. 
metaplasm 
Metaphysical abstraction. See abstraction. Meta- 
physical category, a category of real being; a concept 
of a form of existence. Metaphysical cognition. See 
practical cognition, under cognition. Metaphysical def- 
inition, a definition by genus and difference. Meta- 
physical hypothesis, in older writers, a supposition that 
something really exists, thus comprehending scientific hy- 
potheses generally ; by positivist writers used to denote 
an unverittable hypothesis, a hypothesis concerning things 
in themselves as distinguished from phenomena. Meta- 
physical method. See method. Metaphysical mode 
of expression, the expression of a fact by means of ab- 
stract nouns, instead of concrete nouns and adjectives. 
Metaphysical partition, the mental separation of any- 
thing into parts whose separate existence is impossible. 
Metaphysical whole, (a) A species conceived as com- 
pounded of its genus and specific difference. (6) A whole 
of comprehension, or a logical term conceived as com- 
pounded of its predicates, (c) A whole of comprehension 
in a more general sense ; a natural whole ; any whole in 
which the subject is viewed as the whole of which the 
predicates are parts. 
metaphysically (met-a-fiz'i-kal-i), adv. 1. 
From a metaphysical point of view ; by meta- 
Ehysical methods; as regards metaphysics. 
t. Supernaturally. 
The eclipse of the sunne that darkened all the earth at 
< 'hi-isles passion, happening altogether prodigiously and 
metaphysically in plenilunis. 
O. Hervey, Letter to Ed. Spenser (1580). 
metaphysician (met"a-fi-zish'an), n. [= F. 
iiti'-taphysicicn ; < metaphysic + -*.] 1. One 
who is versed in the science of metaphysics. 
2. One who practises the mind-cure. [Re- 
cent and vulgar.] 
metaphysicist (met - a - fiz ' i - sist), . [< meta- 
physic + -ist.] Same as metaphysician. 
metaphysics (met-a-fiz'iks), . [PI. of meta- 
phynic: see-cs.] 1. The science of the inward 
and essential nature of things, (a) As the subject 
of the books of Aristotle so called, first philosophy ; ontol- 
ogy ; the analysis of the nature of being in general ; the 
doctrine of first principles. (6) [The prefix meta- being 
understood as meaning 'beyond.'] Supernatural science ; 
the doctrine of that which transcends all human experi- 
ence, (c) The science of the mind treated by means of 
introspection and analysis, and not by experiment and 
scientific observation ; rational psychology, (d) Any doc- 
trine based upon presumption and not upon inductive 
reasoning and observation, (e) An abstract and abstruse 
body of doctrine supposed to be virtually taken for granted 
in some science: as, "the metaphysics of geometry." 
[Used frequently with the definite article, and generally 
connected with unpleasant associations, as being a study 
very dry and at the same time of doubtful truth. 
The mathematics and the metaphysics, 
Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you. 
Shak., T. of the S., i. 1. 37. 
"How," she cried, "yon love 
The metaphysics! " Tennyson, Princess, Hi.] 
2. Philosophy in general ; especially, the philo- 
sophical\ study of mind; psychology: so used 
from the time of Descartes, and especially by 
the Scotch school. 
Metaphysics was a word formerly appropriated to the 
ontology and pneumatology of the schools, but now un- 
derstood as equally applicable to all those Inquiries which 
have for their object to trace the various branchesof human 
knowledge to their first principles in the human mind. 
D. Stewart, Dissertations, ii. 475. 
3. In the Kantian terminology, the science of 
God, freedom, and immortality. 
Abbreviated nietaph. 
metaphysiological (met-a-fiz"i-o-loj'i-kal), a. 
[< Gr. fierd, beyond, + fvaa&eyla, physiology, + 
-ic-al.] Beyond the province of physiology. 
metaphysis (me-taf'i-sis), n. [< Gr. //era, over, 
+ foots, nature : see physic.] Change of nature ; 
transformation ; metamorphosis. 
metaplasia (met-a-pla'si-a), n. [NL.,< Gr./ird- 
n/Matf, transformation: see metaplasis.] The 
conversion of an adult tissue directly into an- 
other form of adult tissue, as of hyaline carti- 
lage into mucous tissue. This takes place prin- 
cipally, if not exclusively, among the tissues of 
the connective-tissue group. 
metaplasis (me-tap'la-sis), . [NL., < Gr. ^f- 
Ton-Aoo-(-, transformation, < //era, over, + TT^O- 
aif, a molding, conformation, < ir^daaeiv, form, 
mold. Cf. mctaplasmt.'] See the quotation. 
This eminent author[Haeckel] regarded the'ontogenyof 
an individual to be divisible into three periods: first, the 
stages of Anaplasis, orthose of progressive evolution; sec- 
ond, the stages of fulfilled growth and development, Me- 
taplasis; third, those of decline, C'ataplasis. 
Amer. Nat., XXII. 881. 
metaplasm 1 (met'a-plazm), n. [< L. metaplas- 
mus, < Gr. //era ?.ao7/of, a transformation, the 
assumption of a present or nominative for the 
derived tenses of verbs or cases of nouns, < /*r- 
Tairl.daaeiv, transform, change, < perd, over, + 
ir)jiaaetv, form, mold.] Ingram.: (a) A change 
or transmutation in a word by adding, trans- 
posing, or retrenching a syllable or letter. 
Intercalarius (but. it is possible that this latter is simply 
a metnplaxm for intercalarls). Amer. Jour, mini., X. 89. 
