metabolic
UK: ˌmet.əˈbɒl.ɪk | US: ˌmet̬.əˈbɑː.lɪk
adj. relating to metabolism (the chemical processes in living organisms that maintain life)
adj. characterized by or capable of rapid transformation or change
meta<change, beyond> + bol<throw> + ic<adjective suffix>
- meta: From Greek meta (μετά), meaning "change," "beyond," or "after." In scientific terms, it often implies transformation.
- bol: From Greek bolē (βολή), meaning "a throw" or "casting," derived from ballein (to throw). Here, it metaphorically represents "process" or "change."
- ic: A suffix forming adjectives, indicating "pertaining to" or "of the nature of."
Etymology Origin:
The word metabolic traces back to Greek metabolē (μεταβολή), meaning "change" or "alteration." The root meta- (beyond/change) + bolē (a throw) originally described physical transformation, later adopted in biology to denote the dynamic chemical processes sustaining life. The suffix -ic standardizes it as an adjective. The term reflects the concept of life as a series of "thrown changes"—energy and matter constantly in flux.
Exercise increases your metabolic rate, helping you burn more calories.
The doctor ordered tests to assess his metabolic health.
Metabolic pathways are crucial for converting nutrients into energy.
Some diseases disrupt normal metabolic functions.
Plants have unique metabolic processes like photosynthesis.