Definition

1. Verb:
   • To change the order or arrangement of a set of items: To rearrange the sequence or position of elements, often in a systematic or mathematical way. This is the core meaning, focusing on altering the sequence.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • You can permute the letters in the word 'cat' to form 'act' and 'tac'. (This shows changing the order of letters to create new arrangements.)
  • The algorithm is designed to permute the data columns for more efficient analysis. (This demonstrates changing the arrangement of data in a technical context.)
  • To solve the puzzle, you must permute the numbered tiles into the correct sequence. (This illustrates changing the order of physical objects.)

Advanced Usage

• In mathematics and computer science: "Permute" is a formal term for generating all possible unique orderings (permutations) of a set.
  • The function will permute the input array and return a list of all possible orderings.
• In a figurative sense: It can describe a significant reordering of abstract concepts.
  • The new theory permutes the traditional priorities of the field, placing ethics at the center.

Variants and Related Words

• Permutation (n): One specific ordering or arrangement resulting from the act of permuting, or the concept itself.
  • There are six possible permutations of three distinct letters.
• Permutable (adj): Capable of being rearranged or reordered.
  • The elements in this set are permutable.

Synonyms

• Rearrange: To change the order of.
• Transpose: To change the relative place or order of, especially to exchange the positions of two items.
• Reorder: To arrange in a different order.

Related Phrases

• To permute with: (Technical) To exchange or swap positions within a set during the permutation process.
  • The algorithm permutes the first element with each subsequent element.

Related Idioms

(No common idioms are directly based on the word "permute." It is primarily a technical term.)

Verb

1. change the order or arrangement of
   • Dyslexics often transpose letters in a word