Metathesis

/məˈtæθəsɪs/
noun

The rearrangement of sounds or letters in a word, or of the order of the words in a sentence.

In the word 'cavalry', the 'l' and 'r' are often switched in a metathesis.
Visual representation of "metathesis" - The rearrangement of sounds or letters in a word, or of the order of the words in a sentence

Often appears as...

  • metathesis reaction
  • metathesis example

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

noun

A process in which two chemicals react and the ions or bonds between them are exchanged to form different compounds.

Olefin metathesis is a key reaction in synthetic chemistry for the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds.
Visual representation of "metathesis" - A process in which two chemicals react and the ions or bonds between them are exchanged to form different compounds

Often appears as...

  • metathesis reaction
  • metathesis process

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

noun

The rearrangement of sounds or letters in a word, or of the order of the words in a sentence.

In the word 'cavalry', the 'l' and 'r' are often switched in a metathesis.
Visual representation of "metathesis" - The rearrangement of sounds or letters in a word, or of the order of the words in a sentence

Often appears as...

  • metathesis reaction
  • metathesis example

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

noun

A process in which two chemicals react and the ions or bonds between them are exchanged to form different compounds.

Olefin metathesis is a key reaction in synthetic chemistry for the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds.
Visual representation of "metathesis" - A process in which two chemicals react and the ions or bonds between them are exchanged to form different compounds

Often appears as...

  • metathesis reaction
  • metathesis process

Usage tips

Formal

Academic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "metathesis"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Pronunciation Practice

Focus on correct pronunciation to avoid metathesis which can lead to misunderstanding.

Illustration for Pronunciation Practice
Ensure to say 'comfortable' correctly, not 'comfterble'.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Common Mistakes

People often make metathesis mistakes, like switching letters in everyday speech.

Illustration for Common Mistakes
Saying 'perscription' instead of 'prescription' is a common metathesis.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Language Evolution

Metathesis can be part of language evolution, leading to accepted new word forms.

Illustration for Language Evolution
The word 'bird' was originally 'brid' in Old English, changed by metathesis.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Pronunciation Practice

Focus on correct pronunciation to avoid metathesis which can lead to misunderstanding.

Illustration for Pronunciation Practice
Ensure to say 'comfortable' correctly, not 'comfterble'.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Common Mistakes

People often make metathesis mistakes, like switching letters in everyday speech.

Illustration for Common Mistakes
Saying 'perscription' instead of 'prescription' is a common metathesis.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Language Evolution

Metathesis can be part of language evolution, leading to accepted new word forms.

Illustration for Language Evolution
The word 'bird' was originally 'brid' in Old English, changed by metathesis.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Pronunciation Practice

Focus on correct pronunciation to avoid metathesis which can lead to misunderstanding.

Illustration for Pronunciation Practice
Ensure to say 'comfortable' correctly, not 'comfterble'.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Common Mistakes

People often make metathesis mistakes, like switching letters in everyday speech.

Illustration for Common Mistakes
Saying 'perscription' instead of 'prescription' is a common metathesis.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Language Evolution

Metathesis can be part of language evolution, leading to accepted new word forms.

Illustration for Language Evolution
The word 'bird' was originally 'brid' in Old English, changed by metathesis.
Visual representation of the word "Metathesis"

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Quote examples

Robert H. Grubbs

American Scientist

Most commercial products that contain organic molecules possess at least one carbon-carbon double bond, or if one is not present, it is likely that an olefin was used in its preparation. This being the case, the potential applications of olefin metathesis are endless.
Portrait of Robert H. Grubbs

Quote examples

Robert H. Grubbs

American Scientist

Polymer chemistry provides an excellent means of studying metathesis catalysts: miniscule catalyst loadings have the capacity to generate large amounts of polymeric material, the structure of which can provide a historical record of catalyst activity.
Portrait of Robert H. Grubbs

Quote examples

Robert H. Grubbs

American Scientist

Like the Tebbe complex, ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts can be used for the production of living polymers.
Portrait of Robert H. Grubbs

Quote examples

Robert H. Grubbs

American Scientist

Most commercial products that contain organic molecules possess at least one carbon-carbon double bond, or if one is not present, it is likely that an olefin was used in its preparation. This being the case, the potential applications of olefin metathesis are endless.
Portrait of Robert H. Grubbs

Quote examples

Robert H. Grubbs

American Scientist

Polymer chemistry provides an excellent means of studying metathesis catalysts: miniscule catalyst loadings have the capacity to generate large amounts of polymeric material, the structure of which can provide a historical record of catalyst activity.
Portrait of Robert H. Grubbs

Quote examples

Robert H. Grubbs

American Scientist

Like the Tebbe complex, ruthenium olefin metathesis catalysts can be used for the production of living polymers.
Portrait of Robert H. Grubbs
Example 1 of 3
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