meta-

1. 1. Later in time: metestrus.
   2. At a later stage of development: metanephros.
2. Situated behind: metacarpus.
3. 1. Change; transformation: metachromatism.
   2. Alternation: metagenesis.
4. 1. Beyond; transcending; more comprehensive: metalinguistics.
   2. At a higher state of development: metazoan.
5. Having undergone metamorphosis: metasomatic.
6. 1. Derivative or related chemical substance: metaprotein.
   2. Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom: meta-dibromobenzene.

[Greek, from meta, beside, after.]

[from analytic philosophy] One level of description up. A metasyntactic variable is a variable in notation used to describe syntax, and meta-language is language used to describe language. This is difficult to explain briefly, but much hacker humor turns on deliberate confusion between meta-levels. See hacker humor.

In a racetrack, a column or monument to mark a turn.

1. Later in time: metestrus.
2. At a later stage of development: metanephros.
3. Situated behind: metacarpus.
4. Change; transformation: metachromatism.
5. Alternation: metagenesis.
6. Beyond; transcending; more comprehensive: metapsychology.
7. At a higher state of development: metazoan.
8. Having undergone metamorphosis: metamyelocyte.
9. Derivative or related chemical substance: metaprotein.
10. (Abbr. m–) Of or relating to one of three possible isomers of a benzene ring with two attached chemical groups, in which the carbon atoms with attached groups are separated by one unsubstituted carbon atom. Usually used in italic: meta-dibromobenzene.