What does the prefix "meta-" indicate?

The prefix "meta-" is derived from Greek, where it signifies change or transformation. In various contexts, it often connotes something that is self-referential or beyond a certain condition or state. For instance, in terms like "metamorphosis," it reflects a change in form or structure, indicating a significant transformation. The use of "meta-" in other fields, such as "metadata," implies information that is about other data, suggesting a layer of change in perspective or organization. This understanding of "meta-" as indicating change or transition is foundational in various disciplines, including science, philosophy, and information science, where it signals progression or an elevated state of a concept.