metathesis

[ muh-tath-uh-sis ]

/ məˈtæθ ə sɪs /

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-buh l] /ˈkʌmf tər bəl/ for comfortable or

[aks] /æks/ for ask.

Chemistry. double decomposition.

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to say or do hesitantly or awkwardly

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Origin of metathesis

1600–10; < Late Latin: transposition of letters of a word < Greek metáthesis transposition. 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

metatarsus varus, metate, metathalamus, metatheory, metatherian, metathesis, metathesize, metathorax, metatoluidine, metatrophic, metatropic dwarfism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for metathesis

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
We have seen (p. 57) that the letters l, n, r are particularly subject to dissimilation and metathesis.
The Romance of Words (4th ed.)|Ernest Weekley
By metathesis the name further becomes transformed to Beodan or Beoan.
The Latin & Irish Lives of Ciaran|Anonymous
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

Metathesis of r is seen in wernches 5, wrahhte 74, eauraskes 97 (forsc).
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes|Various

British Dictionary definitions for metathesis

metathesis

/ (mɪˈtæθəsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

the transposition of two sounds or letters in a word

chem another name for double decomposition

Derived forms of metathesis

metathetic (ˌmɛtəˈθɛtɪk) or metathetical, adjective

Word Origin for metathesis

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

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

Medical definitions for metathesis

metathesis

[ mĭ-tăth′ĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. me•tath•e•ses (-sēz′)

Double decomposition of chemical compounds in which an element or radical of one compound exchanges places with another element or radical in another compound.