metathesis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a linguistic process of transposition of sounds or syllables within a word or words within a sentence
  2. noun a chemical reaction between two compounds in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new compounds (AB+CD=AD+CB)
    double decomposition; double decomposition reaction.

WordNet

Me*tath"e*sis noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. meta`thesis, fr. metatithe`nai to place differently, to transpose; meta` beyond, over + tithe`nai to place, set. See Thesis.
Wordforms
plural Metatheses
Definitions
  1. (Gram.) Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.
  2. (Med.) A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.
  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.

Webster 1913