metamorphosis
meta.mor.pho.sis \-'mo.r-f*-s*s\ n [L, fr. Gk metamorpho-sis, fr. metamorphoun to transform, fr. Xmeta- + morphe- form 1a: change of physical form, structure, or substance esp. by supernatural m eans 1b: a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances 2: a marked and more or less abrupt change in the form or structure of an a nimal occurring subsequent to birth or hatching