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metathesis

meh-TATH-eh-sis

mɛˈtæθɪsɪs

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Syllable breakdown

metathesis

Dictionary meaning

The transposition of sounds or syllables in a word; for example, the Old English 'brid' became Modern English 'bird'.

History and origin

Greek — 'meta' (change) + 'thesis' (placing).

Common mispronunciations

MET-ah-thee-sismeh-tath-EH-sis

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