metaplasm1
/ˈmɛtəplaz(ə)m/noun
1 Grammar. Usually with reference to classical languages: the alteration of a word by addition, removal, or transposition of letters or syllables; an instance of this.
2 Rhetoric. The transposition of words from their usual or natural order. Now rare.
Origin
Old English. From post-classical Latin metaplasmus (3rd cent.; recorded in classical Latin authors as a Greek word) from Hellenistic Greek μεταπλασμός from ancient Greek μετα- + -πλασμός, after μεταπλάσσειν to model differently, remould.
metaplasm2
/ˈmɛtəplaz(ə)m/Biology. Chiefly Botany. Now historical
noun
Originally: the granular (as opposed to the hyaline) portion of cytoplasm, containing various inclusions. Later also: granular substance within a nucleus, especially that of a plant oocyte or ovum.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Alfred Bennett (1833–1902), botanist and publisher. From German Metaplasma from meta- + -plasma.