From the Greek meta meaning ‘with’ or ‘after’, a prefix implying change and meaning ‘behind’, ‘after’, or ‘beyond’. The prefix may be attached to the name of any rock which has undergone metamorphism. For instance, a basalt which has been metamorphosed may be termed a metabasalt, and a pelitic rock (see pelite) which has suffered metamorphism may be termed a metapelite.