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metathesis Definition

me·tath·esis (mə tat̸h′ə sis)

noun pl. metatheses -·ses′ (-sēz′)

transposition or interchange; specif.,
  1. the transposition of sounds in a word or between words “clasp” developed from Middle English “clapse” by metathesis; spoonerisms are examples of metathesis
  2. Chem. the interchange of elements or radicals between compounds, as when two compounds react with each other to form two new compounds

Etymology: LL < Gr, transposition, a going over < metatithenai, to put over, transpose < meta, over (see meta-) + tithenai, to place (see do)

Related Forms:

metathesis Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • polymerisation: The methods are: ring opening metathesis polymerisation ( ROMP ), and acyclic diene metathesis polymerisation ( ADMET ).

Noun used with modifier

  • alkene: Alkene Metathesis I have been working in this field since 1994.
  • ring: The main area of research was polymer synthesis: anionic and ring opening metathesis polymerization.