Defn: That part of the skeleton of the hand or forefoot between the carpus and phalanges. In man it consists of five bones. See Illust. of Artiodactyla.
METACENTER; METACENTRE
Met`a*cen"ter or; Metacentre, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + center.]
(Hydrostatics)
Defn: The point of intersection of a vertical line through the center of gravity of the fluid displaced by a floating body which is tipped through a small angle from its position of equilibrium, and the inclined line which was vertical through the center of gravity of the body when in equilibrium.
Note: When the metacenter is above the center of gravity, the position of the body is stable; when below it, unstable.
METACETONE
Me*tac"e*tone, n. Etym: [Pref. met- + acetone.] (Chem.)
Defn: A colorless liquid of an agreeable odor, C6H10O, obtained by distilling a mixture of sugar and lime; — so called because formerly regarded as a polymeric modification of acetone.
METACHLORAL
Met`a*chlo"ral, n. Etym: [Pref. meta- + chloral.] (Chem.)
Defn: A white, amorphous, insoluble substance regarded as a polymeric variety of chloral.
METACHRONISM
Me*tach"ro*nism, n. Etym: [Gr. métachronisme.]
Defn: An error committed in chronology by placing an event after its real time.