It comes from the Greek word "μεταβολή" (metabolē), which means "change, alteration, transition."
This root is found in many English words related to change and transformation, such as:
* Metabolism: the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life.
* Metamorphosis: a transformation or change in form or structure, typically from a larval to an adult stage.
* Metaphor: a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.
* Metabolic: relating to metabolism.
* Metamorphic: relating to metamorphosis or change in form.
* Metastable: existing in a state that is not thermodynamically stable, but has a relatively long lifetime.
The understanding of "metabole" as change or transformation is key to understanding the meaning of these words.