M - Magic, Metal, Meta..., Metabolism, Metaphor, Metastasis, Method.

Magic. From Ancient Greek μαγικός, magikos, magical, derived from μάγος, magos, magician. Allegedly supernatural charms, spells or other methods to dominate natural forces. Also used figuratively, something spectacular or wonderful.

Derived or related words: magician, magical, magically.

Metal. From Ancient Greek μέταλλον, métallon, from μεταλλεύειν, metalleuein, to mine. Any chemical element in the periodic table that form a metallic bond with other metal atoms; generally shiny and hard, often a conductor of heat and electricity.

Derived or related words: metallic, metalware.



Meta- is a Greek prefix (like para- tele- psycho-) meaning after, along with, beyond, among, and is used in many words, even medical, if you really think about it. Some of them:

Metabolism. From Ancient Greek μεταβολή, metavolē, change, from μετά-, meta-, with, across, after + βάλλω, vallō, to throw, to shoot. The chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life.

Derived or related words: metabolic, metabolize, metabolite.

Metaphor. From Ancient Greek μεταφορά, metaphora, from μεταφέρω, metapherō, I transfer. From μετά-, meta-, with, across, after + φέρω, pherō, I bear, carry. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison.

Derived or related words: metaphorical, metaphorically.

Metastasis. From Ancient Greek μετάστασις, metastasis, change, from μεθίστημι, methistemi, to remove, to change. From μετά-, meta-, with, across, after + ίσταμαι, histamai, to cause to stand, to place. Transmission of pathogenic micro-organisms or cancerous cells from an original site to one or more sites elsewhere in the body, usually by way of the blood vessels or lymphatics.

Derived or related words: metastatic, metastasize. 

Method. From Ancient Greek μέθοδος, methodos, pursuit of knowledge, investigation, from μετά-, meta-, with, across, after + ὁδός, hodos, way, motion, journey. A process by which a task is completed, a way of doing something. 

Derived or related words: methodical, methodology.