permute

/pə'mju:t/

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Word: Permute

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: To permute means to change the order or arrangement of something. It often refers to rearranging letters, numbers, or items in a different sequence.

Usage Instructions:

• "Permute" is typically used in mathematical contexts, computer science, or when discussing arrangements in general.
• It is often seen in discussions about combinations and arrangements.

Example Sentence:

• "If you permute the letters in the word 'cat,' you can form 'act' or 'tac.'"

Advanced Usage:

• In mathematics, particularly in combinatorics, "permute" can refer to the different ways to arrange a set of items. For example, the number of ways to permute three different letters (A, B, C) is 6: ABC, ACB, BAC, BCA, CAB, CBA.

Word Variants:

• Permutation (noun): The result of permuting; an arrangement of elements in a specific order.
  • Example: "There are many permutations of the numbers 1, 2, and 3."
• Permutational (adjective): Related to the act of permuting.
  • Example: "The permutational analysis helped solve the equation."

Different Meaning:

While "permute" mainly relates to rearranging items, in a broader context, it can imply changing or altering something in a general sense.

Synonyms:

• Rearrange
• Shuffle
• Change
• Alter
• Transpose (specifically for letters)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no direct idioms or common phrasal verbs that use "permute," but understanding the concept of rearranging can relate to phrases like "mix things up" or "shake things up."

Note for Learners:

If you think of "permute" as simply "to mix up" or "to change the order," it can help you remember its meaning.

Academic

Verb

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

Synonyms

• commute
• transpose