metathesis Definition
- 1the transposition of sounds or letters in a word
- 2a linguistic process of switching the places of two sounds in a word
Using metathesis: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "metathesis" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The word 'ask' is an example of metathesis, as it was originally 'acsian' in Old English.
Example
In some dialects, 'comfortable' is pronounced with metathesis as 'comfterble'.
Example
Metathesis can also occur in sign language, where the order of signs can be rearranged for emphasis.
metathesis Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for metathesis
Phrases with metathesis
a chemical reaction involving the exchange of bonds between the two reacting chemical species
Example
A common example of a metathesis reaction is the reaction between an acid and a base to produce salt and water.
a type of chemical reaction that involves the redistribution of alkene bonds, typically using a transition metal catalyst
Example
Alkene metathesis is a powerful tool for organic chemists, allowing them to create complex molecules from simpler ones.
a type of alkene metathesis that specifically involves the breaking and reforming of carbon-carbon double bonds
Example
Olefin metathesis has revolutionized the field of organic synthesis, enabling the creation of new drugs, materials, and other compounds.
Origins of metathesis
from Greek 'metathesis', meaning 'transposition'
Summary: metathesis in Brief
Metathesis [məˈtæθəsɪs] is a linguistic process that involves the transposition of sounds or letters in a word. It can be seen in examples like 'ask', which was originally 'acsian' in Old English, and 'comfortable', which is sometimes pronounced as 'comfterble'. Metathesis can also occur in sign language. Other uses of the term include 'metathesis reaction,' 'alkene metathesis,' and 'olefin metathesis,' which refer to chemical reactions that involve bond rearrangement.
