metabolism
me.tab.o.lism \m*-'tab-*-.liz-*m\ n [ISV, fr. Gk metabole- change, fr.
metaballein to change, fr. Xmeta- + ballein to throw - more at DEVIL 1a:
the sum of the processes in the building up and destruction of protopla sm
incidental to life; specif : the chemical changes in living cells by which
energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is
assimilated to repair the waste 1b: the sum of the processes by which a
particular substance is handled in the living body 2: METAMORPHOSIS