| metaplasm (linguistics) |
| Definition - A general term for naturally evolving changes to the spelling and pronunciation of words. Note: These changes can involve: (1) adding letters or syllables (epenthesis) (2) omitting letters or syllables (apocope) (3) transposing letters or syllables (metathesis) (4) substituting letters or syllables (antisthecon) |
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Example - Saying veg-table instead of veg - e - table is an example of the metaplasm called apocope. |
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Etymology - The word derives from the Greek metaplasso, to remodel (from the Greek plassein, to mold; hence plaster, a substance that can be molded). |
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Oxford English Dictionary - Its first citation is from 1432–50: "Of the rewles of feete metricalle, of metaplasmus, of dialog metricalle." ( tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 183) |
