permute

verb

per·​mute pər-ˈmyüt How to pronounce permute (audio)
permuted; permuting

transitive verb

: to change the order or arrangement of
especially : to arrange in all possible ways
permutable adjective

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to exchange, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French permuter, from Latin permutare, from per- + mutare to change — more at mutable

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of permute was in 1878

Dictionary Entries Near permute

Cite this Entry

“Permute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permute. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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