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METATHESIS

Volume 7 · 61 words · 1778 Edition

in grammar, a species of the metaplasmus; being a figure whereby the letters or syllables of a word are transposed, or shifted out of their usual situations, as piffris for prifris, Lybia for Libya, &c.

This word is, by physicians, used with respect to morbid causes; which, when they cannot be evacuated, are removed to places where they are less injurious.