Hyper Dictionary

English Dictionary Computer Dictionary Thesaurus Dream Dictionary Medical Dictionary


Search Dictionary:  

Meaning of META

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
\Met"a-\, Met- \Met-\ [Gr. ? between, with, after; akin to
AS. mid with, G. mit, Goth. mi[thorn], E. mid, in midwife.]
1. A prefix meaning between, with, after, behind, over,
   about, reversely; as, metachronism, the error of placing
   after the correct time; metaphor, lit., a carrying over;
   metathesis, a placing reversely.
2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting:
   (a) Other; duplicate, corresponding to; resembling; hence,
       metameric; as, meta-arabinic, metaldehyde.
   (b) (Organic Chem.) That two replacing radicals, in the
       benzene nucleus, occupy the relative positions of 1
       and 3, 2 and 4, 3 and 5, 4 and 6, 5 and 1, or 6 and 2;
       as, metacresol, etc. See {Ortho-}, and {Para-}.
   (c) (Inorganic Chem.) Having less than the highest number
       of hydroxyl groups; -- said of acids; as,
       metaphosphoric acid. Also used adjectively.
 
 Websites: 
 
Computing Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. The assembly language for the CYBER 200, developed at CDC ca 1977.

    [CDC Pub 60256020].

    [Jargon File]

  2. /me't*/ or /may't*/ or (Commonwealth) /mee't*/ A prefix meaning one level of description higher. If X is some concept then meta-X is data about, or processes operating on, X.

    For example, a metasyntax is syntax for specifying syntax, metalanguage is a language used to discuss language, meta-data is data about data, and meta-reasoning is reasoning about reasoning.

    This is difficult to explain briefly, but much hacker humour turns on deliberate confusion between meta-levels.

    [Jargon File]

 

 

COPYRIGHT © 2000-2003 WEBNOX CORP. HOME | ABOUT HYPERDICTIONARY