meta·mor·pho·sis 
/ˌmɛtəˈmoɚfəsəs/ noun
plural meta·mor·pho·ses /ˌmɛtəˈmoɚfəsəs/ noun /-fəˌsi:z/ 1 : a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something [count] ▪ We have watched her metamorphosis from a shy schoolgirl into a self-confident businesswoman. ▪ a company that has gone through a series of metamorphoses [noncount] ▪ The government has undergone political metamorphosis since his election. 2 biology : a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult [noncount] ▪ the metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs ▪ The class learned about how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis to become butterflies. [count] ▪ caterpillars undergoing metamorphoses
