IPA: /ˌmɛtəˈfɒsfeɪt/
KK: /mɛtəˈfɔsfeɪt/
A type of salt or ester that comes from metaphosphoric acid, often used in various chemical applications.
The chemist prepared a solution containing metaphosphate for the experiment.
Metaphosphate is formed from "meta-" (meaning beyond or change) and "phosphate" (from Greek "phosphoros", meaning light-bearing or phosphorus, which refers to the phosphate group). The term refers to a type of phosphate that is derived from phosphoric acid, indicating a change or transformation in the phosphate structure.
Think of 'meta-' meaning 'beyond' or 'change' and 'phosphate' relating to phosphorus. This helps you remember that 'metaphosphate' refers to a transformed or changed form of phosphate.