racism

n. [ Cf. F. itacisme. See Etacism, and cf. Iotacism. ] (Greek Gram.) Pronunciation of η (eta) as the modern Greeks pronounce it, that is, like e in the English word be. This was the pronunciation advocated by Reuchlin and his followers, in opposition to the etacism of Erasmus. See Etacism. [ 1913 Webster ]

In all such questions between ε and αι the confusing element of itacism comes in. Alford. [ 1913 Webster ]