n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.)1 branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of existence, truth, and knowledge. 2 colloq. abstract talk; mere theory. [Greek, as having followed physics in Aristotle’s works] metastasis fine’tstasis/ n. (pl. -stases /-,si:z/) transference of a bodily function, disease, etc., from one part or organ to another. [Greek, = removal]
