'Metathesis' definitions:
Definition of 'metathesis'
From: WordNet
noun
A linguistic process of transposition of sounds or syllables within a word or words within a sentence
noun
A chemical reaction between two compounds in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new compounds (AB+CD=AD+CB) [syn: double decomposition, double decomposition reaction, metathesis]
Definition of 'Metathesis'
From: GCIDE
- Metathesis \Me*tath"e*sis\, n.; pl. Metatheses. [L., fr. Gr. meta`qesis, fr. metatiqe`nai to place differently, to transpose; meta` beyond, over + tiqe`nai to place, set. See Thesis.]
- 1. (Gram.) Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Med.) A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Chem.) 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] Metathetic