metathetical

Variant of metathesis

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:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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