metathesize

English

Alternative forms

• metathesise, metathetize

Etymology

metathesis +‎ -ize

Verb

metathesize (third-person singular simple present metathesizes, present participle metathesizing, simple past and past participle metathesized)

1. (linguistics) To undergo or to subject to metathesis; of sounds, to switch positions in a word.
   • 1939, Morris Swadesh & C. F. Voegelin, A Problem in Phonological Alternation, in Language, Vol. 15, No. 1

     Cases like mu·yh : mu·hyut may be accounted for under a rule that clusters of h plus sonorant metathesize in word-final position.

   • 1888, James W. Bright, Thraf-Caik, in Modern Language Notes, Vol. 3, No. 3

     The significance of noticing the existence of this adjective tharf by the side of the metathesized form thraf is of course apparent

   • 1962, Gene M. Schramm, An Outline of Classical Arabic Verb Structure, in Language, Vol. 38, No. 4

     If the first of two identical consonants in sequence is postconsonantal and the second intervocalic, metathesize the first with the following vowel (geminate roots only).