metaclasses vs. inheritance

[Hans Nowak]

Aldo Cortesi wrote:

>>PS - what's the antonym of meta?
> 
> Hmmm... the meta- in "metaclass" or "metaphysics" really has
> no relation to the original Greek, which means "with", or
> "among" (as in "metatarsus" - the bones in the foot which
> lie next to the tarsus). So whatever antonym you come up
> with can't have anything to do with the original etymology
> of the prefix...  Erm... How about mundane? Or actual?
> Intrinsic? Essential? Or even "per se"....?

In ancient Greek, it also meant "over", like Latin "trans"... e.g. "over the 
river". I think the "meta" in "metaclass", "metadata" etc is related to this 
meaning.

Cheers,

-- 
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