# metathesis

> English word · Noun · IPA /məˈtæ.θə.sɪs/

## Definitions
1. The transposition of letters, syllables or sounds within a word, such as in ask as /æks/.
2. The double decomposition of inorganic salts.
3. The breaking and reforming of double bonds in olefins in which substituent groups are swapped.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin metathesis, from Ancient Greek μετάθεσις (metáthesis), from μετά (metá, “among”) + θέσις (thésis, “placement”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/metathesis