metathesis

[ muh-tath-uh-sis ]

noun,plural me·tath·e·ses

[muh-tath-uh-seez]. /məˈtæθ əˌsiz/.

the transposition of letters, syllables, or sounds in a word, as in the pronunciation [kuhmf-ter-buhl] /ˈkʌmf tər bəl/ for comfortable or [aks] /æks/ for ask.
Chemistry. double decomposition.

Origin of metathesis

First recorded in 1530–40; from Late Latin: literally, “transposition of letters of a word,” from Greek metáthesis “transposition, change”; see meta-, thesis

Other words from metathesis

met·a·thet·ic [met-uh-thet-ik], /ˌmɛt əˈθɛt ɪk/, met·a·thet·i·cal, adjective

Words Nearby metathesis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use metathesis in a sentence

metathesis of r is seen in undren 205, in loruerde 103 the scribe has added r by anticipation.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes | Various
The living speech is further characterized by innumerable cases of consonantal metathesis and by parasitic nasalization.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 | Various
It seems probable that the word asp in river-names is formed by metathesis from the word aps, p. 27, form 5.
The River-Names of Europe | Robert Ferguson
Mo and do are here changed, by metathesis and the substitution of one broad vowel for another, into am and ad.
Elements of Gaelic Grammar | Alexander Stewart
Sometimes he lightened the pronunciation by metathesis, as he did when he pronounced interpretor as interpertor.
The Common People of Ancient Rome | Frank Frost Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for metathesis

metathesis

/ (mɪˈtæθəsɪs) /

nounplural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

the transposition of two sounds or letters in a word
chem another name for double decomposition

Origin of metathesis

C16: from Late Latin, from Greek, from metatithenai to transpose

Derived forms of metathesis

metathetic (ˌmɛtəˈθɛtɪk) or metathetical, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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