a. [f. TRANSPOSE v., after positive, etc. Cf. F. transpositif (18th c.), and rare L. transpositīva (Quintil.).] Characterized by or given to transposition.
1783. Blair, Lect. Rhet., etc., I. vii. 122. The French Language … admits the least of inversion…; But the Italian retains the most of the antient transpositive character.
1869. A. W. Potts, Lat. Pr. Comp. (1870), II. ii. 40. The English language … is compelled to obey somewhat rigid rules in the arrangement of the words…. The Latin language, on the contrary, is transpositive.
Hence Transpositively adv. (in recent Dicts.).
1650. W. Charleton, trans. van Helmont’s Magnetick Cure of Wounds., 20. When the Attractum doth imply an inseparable relation to the Attraahent; and so transpositively.
