Metaplay

In a RPG, metaplaying is the insertion of out-of-character knowledge into an in-character area. This is typically against a fully fledged RPGs rules and will eventually result in a ban.

Sarah reads that Tom's character (Bob) is involved in a top secret project for the government and doesn't say anything to anyone about it. Sarah engages her character (Kelly) with Bob. Kelly knows all about Bob's top secret project and his job details, despite Bob not having said anything to Kelly (in-character). Kelly metaplayed Bob.

by knieghtmare September 6, 2013

Contextual metaplane

A frame of reference used to analyze a particular family of ideas.

"Coining a brand new word glamorizes a concept and helps us appreciate it on a contextual metaplane."

by shadyladyk March 10, 2010

metalayer

A unit of meta used to describe one portion or character in the chain leading between the viewer/reader and the deepest level.

It is like I am the kid from the Never Ending Story. I was chased by some bullies into this fucking attic and now I am watching people watching people watching more people kissing and stuff basically forever. How many metalayers removed from this story can we get?

-Homestuck

by Warlyte July 10, 2011

Metaplan

A Plan for the creation of a plan.

There is a metaplan in the folder for the planning of the game-playing, which you could look at if you don't know what to do.

by Put you are Name here April 16, 2020

Metaplacebo Effect

The phenomenon where the strength and nature of the placebo effect itself is modulated by external and internal meta-factors: the prestige of the institution, the charisma of the doctor, the patient's prior beliefs about placebos, the cultural narrative around the treatment, and even the patient's awareness that they might be receiving a placebo. The placebo isn't a static trick; it's a dynamic, context-dependent psychological response.

Example: A patient in a famed university hospital trial experiences strong pain relief from a saline injection (placebo). A week later, in a dingy clinic, the same injection does nothing. The Metaplacebo Effect is at work: the aura of authority and expectation in the first setting amplified the placebo response, while the second setting dampened it.

by Dumu The Void February 4, 2026