1. to undergo or cause to undergo metathesis; to transpose or rearrange the order of sounds or letters in a word
Usage: linguistics; chemistry
2. (chemistry) to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction in which two compounds exchange ions or groups to form two new compounds
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• The word 'ask' metathesized from an earlier form with different sound order.
• In linguistics, sounds can metathesize over time as languages evolve.
• The two salts metathesize in solution to produce a precipitate.
• When the reactants metathesize, new ionic compounds form.
• Metathesis can metathesize the positions of consonants within a syllable.