metathesis

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: me=tath=e=sis

CIDE DICTIONARY

metathesis, n. [L., fr. Gr. meta`qesis, fr. metatiqe`nai to place differently, to transpose; meta` beyond, over + tiqe`nai to place, set. See Thesis.].

•  Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.  [1913 Webster]
•  A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.  [1913 Webster]
•  The act, process, or result of exchange, substitution, or replacement of atoms and radicals; thus, by metathesis an acid gives up all or part of its hydrogen, takes on an equivalent amount of a metal or base, and forms a salt.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

metathesis, n. (pl. metatheses)
1 Gram. the transposition of sounds or letters in a word.
2 Chem. the interchange of atoms or groups of atoms between two molecules.
3 an instance of either of these.

Derivative

metathetic adj. metathetical adj.

Etymology

LL f. Gk metatithemi transpose

ROGET THESAURUS

metathesis

Inversion

N inversion, eversion, subversion, reversion, retroversion, introversion, contraposition, contrariety, reversal, turn of the tide, overturn, somersault, somerset, summerset, culbute, revulsion, pirouette, transposition, transposal, anastrophy, metastasis, hyperbaton, anastrophe, hysteron proteron, hypallage, synchysis, tmesis, parenthesis, metathesis, palindrome, pronation and supination, inverted, wrong side out, wrong side up, inside out, upside down, bottom upwards, keel upwards, supine, on one's head, topsy-turvy, sens dessus dessous, inverse, reverse, opposite, top heavy, inversely, hirdy-girdy, heels over head, head over heels.

Transference

N transfer, transference, translocation, elocation, displacement, metastasis, metathesis, removal, remotion, amotion, relegation, deportation, asportation, extradition, conveyance, draft, carrying, carriage, convection, conduction, contagion, transfer, transit, transition, passage, ferry, gestation, portage, porterage, carting, cartage, shoveling, vection, vecture, vectitation, shipment, freight, wafture, transmission, transport, transportation, importation, exportation, transumption, transplantation, translation, shifting, dodging, dispersion, transposition, traction, drift, transferred, drifted, movable, portable, portative, mailable, contagious, from hand to hand, from pillar to post, on the way, by the way, on the road, on the wing, under way, in transit, on course, as one goes, in transitu, en route, chemin faisant, en passant, in mid progress, in mid course.