metathesis
A student writes a chemical equation on the board showing a metathesis reaction.
- Noun:
- A chemical reaction between two compounds in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new compounds (AB+CD=AD+CB): In chemistry, "metathesis" refers to a reaction where two compounds exchange parts, resulting in two different compounds.
- A linguistic process of transposition of sounds or syllables within a word or words within a sentence: In linguistics, "metathesis" is the transposition or switching of sounds, syllables, or sometimes whole words in speech.
Noun (Chemistry):
- Olefin metathesis is a powerful tool for forming carbon-carbon double bonds.
- The chemist explained the salt metathesis reaction to the students.
Noun (Linguistics):
- The word "ask" was historically pronounced "aks," an example of metathesis.
- Metathesis is common in many languages and can lead to permanent changes in word forms.
"Metathesis reaction": A specific term in chemistry for the exchange reaction.
- The synthesis relied on a key ring-closing metathesis reaction.
"Sporadic metathesis": In linguistics, refers to a metathesis that is not regular or predictable.
- The change from "brid" to "bird" is an instance of sporadic metathesis in English.
Metathesize (verb): To undergo or cause metathesis.
- Certain sounds are more likely to metathesize over time.
Metathetic (adj): Relating to or characterized by metathesis.
- The linguist studied the metathetic patterns in the dialect.
- Transposition: The action of changing the order or position of elements. (Used in both contexts)
- Double decomposition: A synonym specifically for the chemical reaction. (Chemistry)
- Sound change / switching: Terms describing the linguistic phenomenon. (Linguistics)
(Note: "Metathesis" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verbs. The related phrases are fixed technical terms.) - "Undergo metathesis": To experience this process. - The ionic compounds underwent metathesis in solution. - "Result from metathesis": To be caused by this process. - The modern pronunciation resulted from historical metathesis.
(Note: There are no common idioms using the word "metathesis." It is a specialized academic term.)
A student writes a chemical equation on the board showing a metathesis reaction.
- a chemical reaction between two compounds in which parts of each are interchanged to form two new compounds (AB+CD=AD+CB)
- a linguistic process of transposition of sounds or syllables within a word or words within a sentence