metabolism
/məˈtæbəlɪzəm/·메타볼리즘·noun
the chemical processes that sustain life in the body
GreekCEFR B2
Root
Greek 'meta-' (change) + 'bole' (a throwing), from 'ballein' (to throw)
Greek metabole (a change, throw across) → metabolism (coined 1878 in physiology) → English metabolism
In a word
Greek meta- (change) + bole (a throwing). 'A throwing-across' = transformation. The meta family unfolds 'carrying across, changing over' — metabolism (the chemistry of throwing-across inside the body), metaphor (a meaning thrown to another place), metamorphosis (a change of form), metaphysics (the study beyond physics). Inside a panting breath after exercise, the Greek 'throwing across' is happening at the molecular scale.
Examples
Exercise speeds up metabolism.
Each cell has its own metabolism.
Sleep affects metabolism.
Related
metabolicmetabolizemetabolitemeta-metaphor