Definitions for: Metathesis

[n] a chemical reaction between two compounds in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new compounds (AB+CD=AD+CB)
[n] a linguistic process of transposition of sounds or syllables within a word or words within a sentence

Webster (1913) Definition: Me*tath"e*sis, n.; pl. Metatheses. [L., fr. Gr.
meta`thesis, fr. metatithe`nai to place differently, to
transpose; meta` beyond, over + tithe`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.

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.

Synonyms: double decomposition, double decomposition reaction

See Also: chemical reaction, double replacement reaction, linguistic process, reaction

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