metathesize

present singular third person metathesizes · participle present metathesizing · participle past metathesized · past metathesized · alternative metathesise · alternative metathetize

1. human sciencesTo undergo or to subject to metathesis; of sounds, to switch positions in a word.

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

   1939, Morris Swadesh & C. F. Voegelin, A Problem in Phonological Alternation, in Language, Vol. 15, No. 1

   2 more examples

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

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

   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).

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