metachronism noun. [mɛ'takrǝnɪz(ǝ)m] E17.
[medieval Latin metachronismus, from Greek metakhron
i. os happening later, formed as META- + khronos time: see -ISM.]
1. An error in chronology consisting in placing an event later than its real date (opp. PROCHRONISM). Cf. PARACHRONISM. Long rare. E17.
2. Biology. The coordination of the movement of cilia or similar parts into a progressive wave. E20.

■ metachronal [mɛtǝ'krǝʊn(ǝ)l] adjective (Biology) exhibiting or characteristic of metachronism E20.

■ meta'chronally adverb E20.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲