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Meta

In epistemology the prefix meta- is used to mean about. For example, metadata is data about data (who has produced it, when, what format the data is in and so on). Similarily, meta-memory in psychology means intuition about whether or not an individual would remember a certain thing if she concentrated on recalling it. Any subject can be said to have a meta-theory, which is the theoretical consideration of its foundations and methods.

See meta-ethics, metalogic, metaphysics, meta-philosophy, metadata, metacorder. See also Wikipedia:Meta-Wikimedia.


In Greek mythology, Meta was the first wife of Aegeas. She bore him no heirs.