metathesis

[ muh-tath-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural me·tath·e·ses [m, uh, -, tath, -, uh, -seez].

1. the transposition of letters, syllables, or sounds in a word, as in the pronunciation [kuhmf, -ter-b, uh, l] for comfortable or [aks] for ask.
2. Chemistry. double decomposition.

metathesis

/ mɪˈtæθəsɪs; ˌmɛtəˈθɛtɪk /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• metathetic, adjective

Other Words From

• met·a·thet·ic [met-, uh, -, thet, -ik], meta·theti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metathesis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of metathesis¹

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

Example Sentences

To this purpose, they employed both a chemical reaction called ring-closing metathesis and photocatalysis -- a process in which chemical reactions are promoted by light energy.

From Science Daily

A sports manufacturer has developed a plastic baseball bat from compounds created through metathesis.

From Washington Post

Exploiting a process known as metathesis, in which carbon compounds exchange parts with one another, Grubbs showed how to create a broad range of new products, from environmentally friendly plastics to resins to pharmaceuticals.

From Los Angeles Times

What’s going on there is metathesis, and it’s a very common, perfectly natural process.

From The Guardian

He found the freedom to choose his research when he joined the French Petroleum Institute in 1960, and it led to his breakthrough on metathesis.

From New York Times