Definition of metathesis Metathesis

me•tath•e•sis

We found 9 definitions of metathesis from 4 different sources.

What does metathesis mean?

Noun Plural: metatheses
metathesis - a linguistic process of transposition of sounds or syllables within a word or words within a sentence
metathesis - 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
		chemical reaction, reaction (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others; "there was a chemical reaction of the lime with the ground water"

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metathesis (Noun)
The transposition of letters, syllables or sounds within a word, such as in ask as /æks/.
metathesis (Noun)
The double decomposition of inorganic salts.
metathesis (Noun)
The breaking and reforming of double bond s in olefins in which substituent groups are swapped.

metathesis (n.)
Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.
metathesis (n.)
A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.
metathesis (n.)
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.