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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