METAYER Mé`ta`yer" (F. ; E. ), n. Etym: [F., fr. LL. medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half. See Mid, a.]
Defn: One who cultivates land for a share (usually one half) of its yield, receiving stock, tools, and seed from the landlord. [France & Italy] Milman.
METAZOA
Met`a*zo"a, n. pl. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Those animals in which the protoplasmic mass, constituting the egg, is converted into a multitude of cells, which are metamorphosed into the tissues of the body. A central cavity is commonly developed, and the cells around it are at first arranged in two layers, — the ectoderm and endoderm. The group comprises nearly all animals except the Protozoa.
METAZOAN
Met`a*zo"an, n.; pl. Metazoans (. (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Metazoa.
METAZOIC
Met`a*zo"ic, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Of or pertaining to the Metazoa.
METAZOON; METAZOOEN
Met`a*zo"ön, n. Etym: [NL.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: One of the Metazoa.