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metathesis
noun pl. metatheses
transposition or interchange; specif.,
- the transposition of sounds in a word or between words: “clasp” developed from Middle English “clapse” by metathesis; spoonerisms are examples of metathesis
- Chem. the interchange of elements or radicals between compounds, as when two compounds react with each other to form two new compounds
Related Forms:
- metathetic adjective or metathetical
See metathesis in American Heritage Dictionary 4
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