METATHESIS

metathesis. Metathesis, n. a transposition, removal, change

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Me‐tath″e‐sis (?), n.; pl. Metatheses (�). [[L., fr. Gr. μετάθεσισ, fr. μετατιθέναι to place differently, to transpose; μετά beyond, over + τιθέναι to place, set. See Thesis.]] 1. 1. (Gram.) Transposition, as of the letters or syllables of a word; as, pistris for pristis; meagre for meager.
2. 2. (Med.) A mere change in place of a morbid substance, without removal from the body.
3. 3. (Chem.) The act, process, or result of exchange, substitution, or replacement of atoms and radicals; thus, by metathesis an acid gives up all or part of its hydrogen, takes on an equivalent amount of a metal or base, and forms a salt.